Kathmandu, April 7

Province-3 and Province-5 advanced to the final of the U-16 National Cricket Tournament here at the TU Stadium today.

Province-3 defeated Province-2 by 15 runs, while Province-5 beat Farwest Province by six wickets in the semi-final matches of the 30-over-a-side tournament which also serves as the selection for the ACC U-16 Eastern Region Tournament.

The final is slated for Monday.

In the first match, Province-3 were bowled out for 154 runs in 29 overs before restricting Province-2 for 139 runs with seven balls to spare. Opener Aaish Bhattarai top scored for Province-3 with 77 off just 66 balls with the help of eight fours and two sixes. Bhattarai was later named the man of the match.

Krish Karki scored 16 runs hitting two sixes, while Prashant Kamat (14), Ashok Poudel (12) and skipper Deepak Bohara (10) contributed in double figures.

Nikhil Kumar Singh too three wickets for Province-2, while Imran Sheikh and Bishal Patel grabbed two each.

In reply, Parsuram Yadav top scored for Province-2 with 30- ball 31 hitting three fours, while Prashant Singh struck two boundaries and a six in his quick fire 22 off just 10 balls. Mekh Raj Mehra scored 22-ball 20 that included one each four and six, while Bishal Patel (15), Birendra Sahani (13) and Nikhil Kumar Singh (13) also contributed in double figures. Sakriya Karki was the pick of the Province-3 bowlers taking 3-24, while Tilak Bhandari and Deepak Bohara claimed two wickets each.

In another semi-final match which was reduced to 22-over-aside due to rain, Province-7 were bowled out for 77 runs in 18.5 overs before Province-7 reached the target losing four wickets with 16 balls remaining.

Rahul Bhandari (19) and Suwash Ayer (18) were the only Farwest batsmen who made notable contribution. Bishal Bikram KC and Ramesh Kurmi took three wickets each for Province-5, whereas Suraj Khadka grabbed two wickets.

In reply, Province-5 opener Sushant Thapa scored 22 off 35 balls hitting three boundaries, while skipper Bishal Bikram KC remained unbeaten on 24-ball 21 that included one each four and six. Amar Mishra (11) and Prakash (10) also chipped in valuable runs. Farwest skipper Suwash Ayer took 3-6 from five overs, while Bibek KC grabbed one wicket.