Kohalpur, June 3:

A magnificent allround performance from Dhirendra Chand helped Region No 6 (Baitadi) take a healthy 184-run lead over Region No 5 (Nepalgunj) after the first day of the Shikhar Two-day National Cricket League here at the proposed International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Baitadi declared their first innings at 259-8 in 58 overs after electing to bat first. Chand top scored for the visitors with 75 runs that included two sixes and seven fours in the first innings. Binod Chhetri scored unbeaten 52 and Prem Chaudhary made 50. Dipak Malla (21), and Shakti Bhandari (17) chipped in valuable runs.

Bharat DC and Shambhu Khan claimed two wickets each for Nepalgunj while Prafulla Rana, Durga Sen and Nirmal KC claimed one wicket apiece.

In reply, Nepalgunj were dismissed for 93 runs in 26 overs. Nirmal KC contributed the highest 28 runs. Chand wrecked Nepalgunj innings taking six wickets and was supported by Rajendra Chand with four wickets.

Baitadi, however, were 18-2 in six overs at stumps in their second innings. Baitadi have earned 10 and Nepalgunj 6.5 bonus points.

Heat takes toll as 18 wickets tumble

Ravi Dahal

Birgunj, June 3:Scorching heat took its tool as 18 wickets fell on the first day of the Shikhar Two-day National League Tournament between Region No 2 (Birgunj) and Region No 1 (Biratnagar) here at the Narayani Stadium.

Batting first, Biratnagar were all out for 151 runs with one ball to spare of their allotted 60 overs. In reply, Birgunj were reeling at 111-8 in 37 overs at stumps. Pratap Maharjan (unbeaten 38) and Sanjam Regmi (13) will resume on Monday. Earlier, Unil Shrestha top-scored with 40 runs while Mehboob Alam and Ajay Rajbansi contributed 31 each for Biratnagar. Sanjam Regmi returned with 5-46 for Birgunj while Sushant Thapa and Raj Mohammed took two wickets each and Binod Das claimed one. With the day’s match, both Biratnagar and Birgunj have seven bonus points.