Kathmandu, June 3:

Region No 6 (Baitadi) threw a chance to stay in contention for the semi-finals of the Wai Wai Under-19 National Cricket Tournament when they failed to chase 92 runs against Region No 1

(Biratnagar) and lost by 14 runs here at the TU Stadium today.

After the match, Biratnagar and Kathmandu entered the semi-finals from the three-team Group B. Both are tied at three points from one match each and Baitadi failed to earn any point from two matches.

After a heavy 295-run defeat to Kathmandu on the opening day, Baitadi bowlers brought some hopes bowling out Biratnagar for 91 runs in 22.5 overs. In reply, they failed to overcome the target and were packed for 77 runs in 34.2 overs.

Batting first, Biratnagar lost the first wicket in the fifth ball. Wickets tumbled in regular intervals, with only two batsmen reaching double figures. Rajan Khadgi hit three fours in his 33-ball 21 and Ram Bhandari scored 19 off 30 balls with two fours. Biratnagar’s total was boosted by 35 sundries, including 23 wides.

For Baitadi, Pradeep Airee returned with the best figures of 3.5-0-18-5, while Chandra Saud took 3-23 off his 10 overs and Prem Budal claimed 2-19.

In reply, Baitadi could not build on partnerships and were all out for 77 runs. Only Pradeep Airee, who hit Biratnagar skipper Ratan Rauniyar for the only six of the match, was able to reach the double figure mark. His 13 runs came off 27 balls.

For Biratnagar, Eraj Shrestha took 5-26 off 10 overs, while Santosh Baral claimed 3-23 and Diwas Thapa bagged one. On Monday, Region No 5 (Nepalgunj) will play Region No 2 (Birgunj) in a must-win encounter. If Nepalgunj lose the match, Birgunj and Bhai-rahawa will make it to the semi-finals from Group A.