KATHMANDU, May 7: Sudur Paschim defeated Province 1 by 30 runs to reach the final of the ongoing Manmohan Memorial National U-16 Cricket Tournament in the first semifinal match held at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kathmandu on Monday. Similarly, Province 2 also secured it place in the final after overcoming Province 3 by four wickets.

In the first semifinal match, Suwash Ayer led his team to a total of 165 runs for the loss of nine wickets after winning the toss and batting first. Skipper Ayer continued his good form with the bat contributing 43 runs from 41 deliveries, which included seven boundaries. Dhirendra Thakur, Sandeep Bista, Anil Thapa and Ashish Bhatta added 25, 22, 20 and 26 runs respectively in the 30-over per side match. 

Sarwan Kisku was pick of the Province 2 bowlers scalping three wickets, supported by Bipin Mahato and Amit Roy’s two and a wicket respectively to help control the damage.

In reply, Province 1’s hunt for the chase ended in 25.2 overs losing all its wickets for 135 runs. Suman Sundas led the chase with well-timed 44 runs off 35 deliveries which included six boundaries. He was supported by Einstein Rijal’s 31 runs opening the batting. Rijal smashed a single boundary during his 44-ball stay. Similarly, Simran Rai played a late cameo of 27 runs off 21 deliveries including four boundaries before losing the match by 30 runs as none of the other batsmen were able to reach double figures. Sudur Paschim conceded 13 runs in extras.

Player of the match Ayer, with his golden arm, picked four wickets in the match to help limit the Province 1 challenge. He was supported by Govind Bista, Sandesh Bhatta, Sachin Badayak and Barline Giri’s a wicket each.

Likewise, in the second semifinal of the day, Meghraj Mahara held one end of the crease to help Province 2 complete the chase of 122 runs in 25 overs. Player of the match Mahara remained unbeaten on 44 runs off 64 deliveries which included five boundaries. He shared a match winning partnership of 56 runs with skipper Nikhil Singh who contributed 32 runs off 33 deliveries which included two boundaries and two sixes.

Opening batsman Rohan BK gave the chase an early boost with his 12-ball 21 runs which included five boundaries. Province 3’s Tilak Bhandari and Krish Karki shared two wickets each. Similarly, Deepak Bohora claimed a wicket in failed defense.

Earlier, Province 3 won the toss and elected to bat first posting a total of 121 runs in 30 overs for the loss of nine wickets. Nepal U-16’s most prolific batsman Ashish Bhattarai contributed patient 27 runs facing 45 deliveries during the first innings which included two boundaries. Similarly, Prashant Mahat’s 22 runs, Bhandari’s 14 and Bipin Bikram Shahi’s 13 runs helped Province 3 reach a respectable total. 

Province 2’s Sheikh Imran and Arabaj Ansari shared two wickets each, supported by Singh and Patel’s a wicket each.

The final of the ongoing U-16 national between Sudur Paschim and Province 2 will be played on Tuesday.

 
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