Kathmandu down Bhairahawa
Kathmandu, November 12:
Region No 3 (Kathmandu) registered a convincing 60-run victory over Region No 4 (Bhairahawa) while Region No 2 (Birgunj) defeated Region No 6 (Baitadi) by four wickets in the Boost U-17 National Cricket Tournament here today.
Victory for Kathmandu meant they are one win away from joining Baitadi in the final. Kathmandu and Birgunj now both have nine points but the former lie second in the table on better run rates. Furthermore, Kathmandu have one game left while Birgunj have no more matches remaining. Birgunj can only reach the final if Kathmandu loses heavily against Region No 5 (Nepalgunj). Baitadi advanced to the final after winning their fourth consecutive match on Tuesday.
At the Tribhuvan University Stadium, Kathmandu scored 163-9 in their allotted 40 overs and restricted Bhairahawa for 103 in 30 overs. Rochak Bhatta top scored with unbeaten 30 while Bijay Gautam (23) and Keshav Yadav (21) chipped in valuable runs for Kathmandu. Sagar Pun (2-21), Hemanta Acharya (2-26) and Amandeep Singh (2-30) took two
wickets each for Bhairahawa. Krishna Karki, Rakesh Barai and Kritan Gurung also claimed one wicket apiece.
In reply, Sagar Pun scored the highest 22 runs for Bhairahawa. Hemanta contributed 19 and Krishna 17 runs. Kathmandu skipper Prithu Baskota, who was later named man of the match, took 3-21 while Ayush Sharma (2-19) and Rochak Bhatta (2-22) claimed two wickets each. Keshav Yadav, Prajesh Bahadur Singh and Ujjwol Thapa also bagged one wicket apiece.
At Pulchowk Engineering Campus grounds, Baitadi were bowled out for 94 in 28.5 runs after electing to bat first. Birgunj surpassed the total losing six wickets in 21.3 overs. For Baitadi Bhuwan Karki scored 22 while Surendra Bahadur Chand made 15. Prashant Bista and Naresh Rawal also chipped in 12 runs each. Shahnawaz Ali was the pick of the Birgunj bowlers with 3-24 while Avinash Karn and Bibek Dali took two wickets each.
Birgunj made a poor start when they lost opener Rabin Gurung (three) but Amit Shrestha (23), Sameer Nepal (22), Hari Shankar Shah (15) all contributed significantly to ease their run chase. Bibek Dali remained unbeaten on 10. Bhuwan Karki, who completed a five-wicket haul (5-39), was named man of the match.
Region No 1 (Biratnagar) will meet Bhairahawa and Kathmandu will face winless Region No 5 (Nepalgunj) in last league matches on Thursday. The final is slated for Saturday at the TU Stadium.