KATHMANDU: Skipper Neema Lama scored 21 and took three wickets to steer Jhapa to the quarter-finals of the Inter-School (District) Twenty20 National Cricket Tournament with a 37-run win over Dhanusha on Thursday.

Electing to bat first at the Laboratory School, Jhapa were all out for 111 with five balls to spare and restricted Dhanusha for 74 runs in 15 overs. Opener Rajiv BK top scored for Jhapa with 43 runs. Rajiv struck two sixes and as many fours in his 53-ball knock. Neema played a gem of an innings, hitting two fours and a six in his 13-ball cameo. Mohammded Akhtar Ali took 3-12 for Dhanusha.

In reply, Dhanusha could only manage 74 with Chakra Prasad contributing the highest 11 runs. Their total was boosted by 32 sundries. Man of the match Neema returned with figures of 3-13 from three overs. Suman Lamshal and Hari Chaulagai took two wickets each for Jhapa.

Also making it to the last eight were Dang, Rupandehi and Palpa districts. Dang defeated Mahottari by five wickets at the TU Stadium. Mahottari were bundled out for 34 runs in 8.5 overs. Man of the match Bijay Rokaya took 4-9 and was well supported by Saroj Basnet (3-23). Dang overcame the target for the loss of five wickets in 11.5 overs. Pradeep Sapkota took two wickets for Mahottari.

At the Lab School, Rupandehi eased to an eight-wicket victory over Kathmandu. Kathmandu were all out for 62 runs before Rupandehi surpassed the target losing two wickets in 10.3 overs. Nupur Pandey scored 12 while Aaskash Maharjan and Sishir Pandey chipped in 11 runs each for Kathmandu. Dewendra Somale (3-10) was the pick of the Rupandehi bowers. Susan Bari bagged two wickets. Kiran Pandey scored 21 off 22 to ease Rupandehi run chase. Ajit Maden took both the Kathmandu wickets to fall.

In another match, Palpa registered a thrilling six-run win over Kailali. Palpa defended the 94-run target by dismissing Kailali for 87 runs. Kailali were dismissed for 93 in 19 overs with Pinku Ansari contributing run-a-ball 22 and Ravi Thapa chipping in 12 runs. Arjun Chapagai took 3-13 while Ballav Dahal and Khagendra Bista grabbed two wicket apiece for Kailali. In reply, Kailali were restricted for 87 runs in 12.3 overs. Khagendra played an explosive knock of 23 off just nine balls but could not avert his team’s defeat. Khagendra struck three sixes and a four. Man of the match Bikash Thapa took 4-20 while Man Bahadur Thapa claimed two for Palpa.