At 138/9, the team that scored tournament highest 326 looked like heading for a defeat; but Rom Shrestha, the fat-boy, had other ideas. With the last man, Raman Shrestha, he added 45 valuable runs with three sixes and three fours to set a platform for a 77-run victory for Region No 3 Kathmandu against Region No 1 Biratnagar at the TU Cricket Ground.
With Rom’s 44 off 56 balls, Kathmandu managed 183 in 48.1 overs and then bowled out Biratnagar for 106 in 40.2 overs – and Rom had his say in bowling too taking two wickets.
After being invited to bat first, Kathmandu lost Subash Khakurel quickly but Dipen Shrestha played patiently. He partnered valuable partnerships with Sharad Vesawkar (12), Gyanendra Malla (24) and Paras Khadka (11) before departing at 42 from 94 balls, bowled out by Diwash Thapa.
After him, Rom got his part to play and performed well despite two four wickets hauls by Diwash (4/35) and Santosh Baral (4/36). Other notable contribution came from Sunam Gautam who got 12.
In reply, Biratnagar batsmen had hard times scoring against tough bowling attack. Paras gave away only 14 runs in his 10 overs taking a wicket while his new-ball partner Abhaya Rana claimed two wickets.
Left-arm spinner Raj Shrestha then took the command and dried up runs. His 10 overs produced 12 runs and three wickets while Rom took two in his eight overs.
For Biratnagar, Puspa Thapa topscored with 26 while Eraj Shrestha and Rajan Khadgi each got 14. On Wednesday, Region No 2 Birgunj plays Region No 4 Bhairahawa to decide the semifinalists from Group A while both Kathmandu and Biratnagar had already entered the semifinal from Group B.
Brief Score: Kathmandu 183 in 48.1 overs (R Shrestha 44, D Shrestha 42, D Thapa 4/35, S Baral 4/36) beat Biratnagar 106 in 40.2 overs (P Thapa 26, Raj Shrestha 3/12, R Shrestha 2/21, A Rana 2/36) by 77 runs.