Rabin Giri

Dharan, March 30:

Pokhara Cricket Club edged out star-studded Yeti Airlines by nine runs and bagged the first Darshan Memorial Running Cup Cricket Tournament, here today.

The winners recieved Rs 20,000 while the runners-up walked away with Rs 10,000.

“We have established a new identity for Pokhara, which was always famous for football,” said skipper Prakash Gurung. The win means a lot to Pokhara as this is the first ever title won by them and a sweet revenge too as they had been beaten by Yeti in league clash by one wicket.

Electing to bat first, Pokhara were bowled out for 129 runs in 40 overs.

National team vice captain Shakti Gauchan, despite being injured reached Dharan on Tuesday to play the final, played a stellar role as he scored 40 invaluable runs for Pokhara. Man of the match Gauchan was dismissed by Paras Khadka in the last ball of their innings. Opener Basanta Regmi contributed 28 runs and Jagat Tamata, who is also the Pokhara coach, scored 14 runs.

For Yeti, Kalam Ali took four wickets while Raju Basnet and Mehboob Alam claimed two each. Paras Khadka also grabbed one wicket. In reply, Yeti failed to reach the target and were packed off for 120 runs in 38.3 overs. Wicketkeeper Manoj Katuwal, Yeti’s last basman, fell victim to Pradeep Raut in an attempt to heave the ball out of the park. Paras Khadka top-scored with 28 runs.

For Pokhara, Shakti Gauchan, Jagat Tamata and Deepesh Khatri pocketed two wickets apiece.

Mehboob Alam was later adjudged man of the series and others who claimed individual awards were Laxman Shrestha of Dharan (best batsman), Bhavesh Thapa of Dharan (best bowler) and skipper Prakash Gurung of Pokhara (best fielder). Mahabir Youth Club of Janakpur was named the most disciplined team.

Member secretary of National Sports Council Kishor Bahadur Singh gave away prizes.