LALITPUR: The Senior National Team defeated the Under-21 Cricket Team by four runs here at the Pulchowk Engineering Grounds in their fifth practice match today.

The U-21 bowlers did well to restrict the senior team for 104-9 in 20 overs but in reply they were bundled out for 100 runs in 19.5 overs. Starting their chase needing low run rate, the U-21 team kept losing wickets at regular intervals which saw them out of the chase.

The 11th SA Games preparing U-21 team came into dire situation when they lost six wickets with just 43 runs on the board. But Naresh Budhayer and Pradeep Ayree scored quickly to take them close to the target. Naresh struck 19-ball-22 that included two sixes and a four while sharing a 24-run partnership with Pradeep for the seventh wicket. Shakti then picked up two quick wickets dismissing Naresh and Chandra Saud (naught) in an over to reduce the U-21 team to 68-8 in 16 overs.

The No 8 batsman Pradeep then put some life into the innings adding 31 runs with Bhuwan Karki (seven) for the ninth wicket before being trapped leg before to man of the match Shakti with two balls to go. Pradeep’s 23-ball 31 included two fours and a six. Opener Anil Mandal and Binod Bhandari were the other U-21 batsmen to score in double digits contributing 13 runs each.

Basanta Regmi picked two while Binod Das, skipper Parash Khadka, Rahul Kumar BK and Sanjam Regmi took one each for the senior side. Earlier, Sharad Vesawkar scored 45 off 49 to carry the team total past three figures after the top order faltered. The senior team lost their first six wickets for just 61 runs and it was Sharad who resisted the attack following 41-run stand for the seventh wicket with Mahesh Chhetri (12). Sharad hit four fours while Mahesh hit a six in his run-a-ball innings.

Amrit Bhattarai rattled down the senior top order taking 4-20 including those of Mehboob Alam (13) and Paras Khadka (four). Dipendra Chaudhary (10) was the other batsman to score in double figures. Prithu Baskota picked up two while Chandra Saud and Bhuwan Karki claimed one apiece for the U-21 team.