Bhairahawa defeated Nepalgunj by 42 runs at the Birendra Memorial National League Cricket Tournament being organised here by Cricket Association of Nepal under the sponsorship of Gorkha Brewery Pvt Ltd.

With this loss, Nepalgunj have been excluded from the tournament following two losses and a draw.

In the rain reduced 33-over match, Bhairahawa opting to bat first after winning the toss scored 154 runs for the loss of eight wickets. Opener Shyam Chand scored 49 off 55 balls including four boundaries before being caught and bowled by Raffiq Ansari, while other opener Basant Regmi, who shared 89-run partnership scored 24 runs before being dismissed by Mohammad Tajuddin in the 16th over.

No 3 batsman Vinay Tripathi, who remained unbeaten on 35 runs. He hit three fours off 45 balls in 65 minutes. Except No 10 batsman Durga Sen who remained unbeaten on 17, others failed to cross double figures. Two batsmen scored a duck, while four others could muster only six runs.

For Nepalgunj, Raffiq Ansari and Mohammad Tajuddin took three wickets apiece conceding 27 and 12 runs in seven overs each respectively.

In reply, Nepalgunj failed to overcome the target and were packed off for 112 runs, which included 23 extras. Opener Arun Thapa scored 19 off 35 before being trapped lbw by Dipesh Khatri, while other opener Mohammad Tajuddin scored 14 before being bowled by Nepali international Shakti Gauchan. Rohit Sharma, who was bowled by Dipesh scored 18 off 50 deliveries including a boundary. Raffiq Ansari and Imtiyaz Siddhique remained unbeaten on 21 and 10 runs respectively, other five batsmen returned to the pavilion without making it to double figures.

For Bhairahawa, Dipesh Khatri — who was adjudged the man of the match — took four wickets conceding 20 runs in seven overs, while Shakti Gauchan and Basant Regmi grabbed two wickets apiece. On Sunday, Zone 1 Biratnagar will play against Zone 2 Birgunj at the Tribhuvan University ground, Kirtipur.