With an all-round performance from skipper Niraj Bhattarai, Kathmandu defeated Baitadi by eight runs to inflict defeat in its first match at the Pulchowk grounds. Bhattarai claimed two wickets of Baitadi and scored 22 runs.[break]
Opting to bat first Baitadi got restricted to 95/9 in 20 overs. Baitadi skipper Roshan Nepali scored highest 18 points while Prem Tamang (15), Pakash Bista (15) and Mahendra Chand (14) were the other batsmen to touch double-digit figure. Besides, skipper Bhattarai, Som Pal Thapa also took wickets for Kathmandu while Prakash Bista, Aviraj Yadav, Niraj Basnet and Anil Karki claimed one scalp each.
In replay, Kathmandu surpassed the target in 13.4 overs. Skipper Bhattaraki hit five boundaries in his 10-ball innings. Bivatsu Thapa (39) and Pawan Shreshta (19) remained unbeaten while Niraj Basnet contributed 12 runs.
Meanwhile, Region no 4 (Bhairahawa) defeated newcomer Region no 9 (Mahendranagar) by five wickets to earn its first win after second match.
Chasing the target of 108 runs, opener Fazlur Rehman Khan hammered 50 runs for Bhairahawa as it achieved the target in 16.4 overs at the TU grounds, Kirtipur. Man-of-the-match Khan hit four fences and three sixes in his innings of 36 balls. Amit Shrestha remained unbeaten for 16 runs while Nishcal Chaudhary contributed 13 runs. Binod Lama of Mahenranagar claimed two wickets.
Earlier, electing to bat first Surendra Chand contributed highest 26 off 43 for Bhairahawa that garnered 107/6. Dipendra Chand scored 17, Kamal Raj Joshi remained unbeaten with 15 runs and Mahesh Shah contributed 10 runs. Suasan Bhari and Rupesh Bastola of Bhairahawa claimed two wickets each.
In the group B match played at Pulchowk grounds, Region No 5 (Nepalgunj) gave a major shock to star studded APF restricting the departmental giant for 92 runs in 19.4 overs. But the match was abandoned due to downpour before Nepalgunj faced a single ball.
Nepalgunj came up with tight bowling to restrict APF for a paltry total as none of the batsmen other than skipper Paras Khadka (22) and Pradeep Aire (18) managed to bag double-digit figures. Amar Singh Routela and Aakash Bista claimed four wickets each for Nepalgunj.
Both APF and Nepalgunj were playing their third group match of the tournament and both had maintained their winning run. The result put them at the top of table with five points apiece.
In another match, Region No 2 (Birgunj) registered a narrow two-run win over Region No 8 (Pokhara) at the TU grounds. With a record partnership of 122 runs for the first wicket Hasim Ansari (63) and Amit Shrestha (51), Birgunj scored 152/5 after electing to bat first.
Ansari´s 48 ball innings included 7 fours and one six while Shrestha hammered five fours off 48 deliveries. Kumar Thapa (12) and Jitendra Mukhiya (0) remained unbeaten. Krishna Bastola of Pokhara claimed two wickets.
In the run chase, Pokhara failed short of three runs from target though Amrit Shrestha hammered 69 runs and skipper Dipesh Khatri 40 with both of them remaining unbeaten. Shrestha´s 55 balls innings included nine fours and one six while Khatri´s 28 ball innings included six boundaries. Anil Gurung contributed 16 runs. Jitendra Mukhiya and Irshad Ahmed of Birgunj claimed two wickets each.
Meanwhile, there won´t be any matches at the Pulchowk ground on Tuesday while TU grounds, Kirtipur will host three matches.
Today´s matches
Baitadi Vs Army
Janakpur Vs APF
Birgunj Vs Nepalgunj
Venue: TU grounds, Kirtipur
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