KATHMANDU: Naxal Challengers claimed the first Inter-Marwari Twenty20 Cricket Tournament with a comprehensive 74-run win over Bishal Bazar Blasters in final here at the Tribhuvan University Stadium On Saturday.

Put into bat first by Bishal Bazar captain Sandeep Jain, Naxal made 155-6 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, Bishal Bazar were dismissed for 81 runs in 18.5 overs.

Man of the match Amol Sharma struck a half century to help Naxal pose a competitive total. Amol held the Naxal innings together and was the fifth man out at 128-5 in the 18th over. Amol made 59 and hit seven boundaries off 58 deliveries. Prem Sharma (16), Vivek Khetan (11), Vivek Tated (11) and Sumit Sharma (10) also chipped in valuable runs for Naxal. Mukesh Bhatiya (2-26) and Sunil Gaggar (2-24) claimed two wickets each while Naveen Jain took one for Bishal Bazar.

Chasing 156-run target, Bishal Bazar were never in contention and were reeling at 38-8 by the 11th over before tailenders Abhishek Bathwal and Sunil Gagger gave some respectability to their total. Abhishek scored 21 off 26 balls and Sunil contributed 16-ball 12. No other Bishal Bazar batsmen could score in double figures. Sumit Sharma (3-7) and Vivek Khetan (3-16) were the pick of the Naxal bowlers. Sushil Nahata also grabbed two and Rahul Bansal one wicket for Naxal.

Naxal clean swept the individual awards claiming man of the series, best bowler, best batsman and best wicketkeeper awards. Amol Sharma scored a total of 153 runs and took 12 wickets to claim both man of the series and best bowler awards. Harsh Kandoi took home the best batsman and best wicket keeper honour. Harsh scored 102 runs in three league round matches at an average of 34.

Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) president Binay Raj Pandey, Akhil Nepal Marwari Parishad president Tula Ram Dugar among others gave away the prizes. The tournament was organised by Shree Baba Ram Dev Bhakta Mandal.