Hadn’t Region No 5 Nepalgunj inexperienced in match practice, they would have registered an amazing win over two-time defending champions Region No 4 Bhairahawa in the Wai Wai U-19 National Cricket Tournament at TU Cricket Ground. But they weren’t and Bhairahawa registered a 29-run victory.
Nepalgunj elected to bowl first, a decision that looked the wrong one as openers Subash Pradhan (19) and Govind Pradhan (33) added 67 runs in less than 15 overs. Nepalgunj returned into the match with Naseer Ansari and Sandeep Shrestha each taking two wickets.
Man of the match Bal Bahadur Thapa took three wickets and scored 11 vital runs.
Bhairahawa from 67/0 went down to 74/4. Captain Antim Thapa then rescued the team with Akash Gupta. Akash (14) partnered Antim for 30 runs before being adjudged leg-before off Manoj Gupta. His dismissal sparked another batting collapse as Sahid Riza (2/37) came into action.
Bhairahawa quickly went down to 112/9 from 104/4 and were in the danger of posting even a challenging total. But Antim decided to take charge and No 11 Bal Bahadur Thapa provided an excellent support.
Bal Bahadur scored 11 off 25 balls partnering 33 runs with Antim, who himself got 37 not out off 91 balls. With 28 bonus extras runs, they managed 145 in 47.3 overs.
Nepalgunj innings began before lunch and going into lunch, they were already on the back foot losing both the openers – Chhetri brothers Mahesh (2) and Ganesh (1). Bal Bahadur was the chief wrecker after lunch claiming three to make it 38/6 in 15 overs.
It looked like a dead match then, but the lower order batted patiently and gave a few nervous moments for Bhairahawa. Sahid (17), Subendu (14) and top scorer of the innings No 9 Naveen Shahi (26) added some valuable runs to get their team 112 in 46.2 overs.
The target was not easy and after losing too many wickets early in the innings, it wasn’t coming the Nepalgunj way. Applause for them because they did well than expected and hopefully will learn from the game to do better in coming match.
Brief Scorecard: Bhairahawa 145 in 47.3 overs (A Thapa 37*, G Pradhan 33, S Shrestha 2/7, S Pandey 2/16, N Ansari 2/21, S Riza 2/37) defeated Nepalgunj 112 in 46.2 overs (N Shahi 26, D Shakya 22, BB Thapa 3/13, R BK 2/17, A Bhattarai 2/20) by 29 runs.
National vice-captain Shakti Gauchan with his wife Kabita and eight-month-old daughter Sadikchhya during the U-19 National League match between Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj.