Bhaktapur, March 20:

Region No 1 (Biratnagar) defeated Region No 6 (Baitadi) by five runs in the rain-hit fifth and sixth place play off in the Wai Wai Under-19 National Cricket Tournament here today.

Batting first after winning the toss at the Birendra Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya (BSAM) grounds, Baitadi were bowled out for 157 runs in 48 overs. Biratnagar were 129-3 when rain disrupted the match for the second time and Biratnagar emerged victorious.

Baitadi got off to a flying start with openers Santosh Thapa and Raghu Sunar adding 70 runs before the latter fell for the individual score of 39 off 55 balls hitting five fours. Thapa fell for 32 off 100 balls, while Kuldeep Khadka scored 39-ball 34 including three fours and a six.

Amit Dahal took 4-18 off 10 overs and was ably supported by Iraj Shrestha (3-29). Anup Karki, Niraj Chhetri and Anil Sharma also claimed one wicket each for Biratnagar.

In reply, Biratnagar got the revised target of 151 in 45 overs and when the rain hit the match for the second time, they were well placed at 129-3 in 32 overs.

Opener Sunny Pun was not out on 52 off 92 balls including four boundaries, while other opener Rajan Khadgi fell after hitting six fours in his 60-ball 41. Somesh yadav scored an unbeaten 14 off 19 balls. In Saturday’s semi-finals, Region No 3 (Kathmandu) will take on Region No 2 (Birgunj) at the TU Stadium, while Region No 4 (Bhairawa) will face Region No 5 (Nepalgunj) at the BSAM grounds.