KATHMANDU, Mar 2: A total of 34 wickets spanned through four innings, fell on the first day of the historic U-19 Himalaya Cricket League two-day cricket grand final match being held in Kathmandu on Sunday.
Kathmandu Cricket Training Center (KCTC) was dismissed twice whereas Great Himalaya Cricket Academy (GHCA) was reduced to 45 runs for the loss of four wickets trailing by 69 runs to win the match on day-two whereas KCTC needs six wickets to secure the championship.
GHCA won the toss and invited KCTC to bat first. The first innings of the match lasted 24.3 overs as KCTC was bundled-out for 80 runs.
Ariya Poudel was pick of the bowlers with three wickets. Mohammad Hussain, Bibek Yadav and Sonu Devkota shared two wickets each whereas GHCA skipper
KCTC to take on GHCA in HCL final
Rashid Khan chipped in with a wicket.
In reply, GHCA was shot-out for 62 runs in 29.4 overs. Surya Tamang continued his golden form registering another seven-wicket haul in the tournament.
Similarly, leg-spinner Tilak Raj Bhandari chipped in with remaining three wickets to give KCTC the lead after the completion of respective first innings.
The batting woes continued for both sides as KCTC again failed to reach triple figures.
Rashid Khan scalped a five-wicket haul to help dismiss KCTC for 96 runs in 28 overs.
Likewise, Paudel picked four wickets assisted by Devkota’s a wicket in the innings.
At the end of the day, GHCA reached 45 runs for the loss of four wickets.
GHCA need 69 runs to win the second-ever two-day championship, whereas KCTC need six wickets to achieve the same feat.
