Man of the match Shakti Gauchan made a patient half-century to add to his three wickets guiding Region no 4 Bhairahawa to a six-wicket win over Region No 3 Kathmandu in the Birendra Memorial National Cricket Tournament today.
Shakti made unbeaten 62 runs as Bhairahawa struggled to a lowly target of 135 runs in 40.1 overs after an inspired seven-over opening spell from Raju Khadka destroyed Kathmandu top order. Taking advantage of the early morning conditions, Raju justified his decision to field first removing Kathmandu skipper Paresh Lohani for a duck in his very first over.
Raju struck again in his third over removing Sarad Vesawkar and immediately dismissed Gyanendra Malla to reduce Kathmandu to 33/4. Shakti Gauchan, as usual, bowled miserly and finished up taking three wickets giving away 19 runs in his nine overs.
Capitalizing on the life given while he was yet to open his account, Raju Basnet made 37 runs to take Kathmandu to the total of 134 runs in 41.4 overs. The left hander hammered six boundaries in 70 balls and shared an important 38-run seventh wicket stand with Anil Amatya (7) after Purushottam Bista returned to the pavilion scoring 22 runs. Parash Khadka (14) showed good touch hitting a couple of boundaries but lost his leg stump attempting an expansive drive to Prajjwal Dixit.
Opener Basnata Regmi continued his excellent performance in the tournament and played patiently for his 21 after loosing his partner Navin Gurung (4) in the third over as Bhairawa’s saw a bad start to the lowly run chase. Earlier, Regmi had claimed a couple of wickets. Than came Shakti who with a steady knock of unbeaten 62 runs in 126 balls guided Bhairawa to a six-wicket win in 40.1 overs.
Shakti hit six fours in his composed innings. Bijaya Thapa who came in at the fall of skipper Raju Khadak, made unbeaten 26 runs for Bhairawa. For Kathmandu Sarad Vesawkar and Avaya Rana took a wicket apiece.
With today’s win Bhairawa has kept its cent percent winning record intact after three matches while Kathmandu suffered its first loss in the third match.