Defending champion Region No 1 Biratnagar sidelined last year’s finalist Region No 4 Bhairahawa in what was dubbed as the last years’ final. The final between these two teams could not take place last year due to rain, but Biratnagar today justified that the run-rate decision was alright then.
Yashwant Subedi and man of the match Lakpa Lama were the heroes for Biratnagar in each innings. Yashwant played sensible cricket to make 75 out of 144 balls he faced with two hits over the ropes and 11 fours in St. Xaviers School ground. On the other innings, Lakpa took four wickets off his 10 overs giving away just 14 runs.
Biratnagar won the toss and made 191 runs from their 50 overs. Yashwant played the vital role after some good hitting by Mehboob Alam (37 runs off 51 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes). Captain Dipendra Chaudhary (20) and Yunil Shrestha (19) contributed well before seeing a collapse during the last few overs.
“I needed a big score as I have failed scoring good since a few games,” said Yashwant. “I was determined for that since the morning.”
For Bhairahawa, Dipesh Khatri did well with 2 wickets and two run outs. While Basudev Thapa also chipped away with 2 wickets.
When replying, Bhairahawa’s opener Rijan Praju played an over-ambitious shot to Mehboob on his second balls and returned to pavollion as he saw the ball passes through his waving bat and breaks down the stumps.
Then after, Basant Regmi and Dipendra Lamgade slowly took the score to 79 with some sensible cricket. But at the score, both of them fell as Dipendra (41 off 64 balls) was bowled by Lakpa and Basant (21 off 54 balls) was adjudged leg-before.
Then no parternship was built as spinners Raj Kumar and Lakpa creates difficulties for batsmen in the turning turf. The unfortunate run-out of Shakti Gauchan was another shock for Bhairahawa. Shakti went for second run when substitute fielder Santosh Baral missed a catch of Ghanshyam Thapa but found himself along with Ghanshyam at same end.
“No partnership, and Shakti’s run out,” Bhairahawa captain Raju Khadka pointed out the reasons behild the dismal performance of his team.