Pacer Pramod Basnet was long out of action but when he finally resumed his national league career after five years he ensured there are all fireworks for his comeback by setting a Region No 3 Kathmandu victory against Region No 6 Baitadi at the Institute of Engineering Ground.
Pramod’s five wicket haul wrecked Baitadi who ended their innings at 135 in 36.2 overs while chasing Kathmandu’s 253/7. Baitadi lost by 118 runs.
Man of the match Pramod last played in 2003 against Biratnagar; that was his fourth national league match and he took three wickets to take his tally to nine wickets.
Paresh Lohani won the toss and elected to bat first in the ground that lacked the sight-screens. Though he could only mutter six runs felling to counterpart Dhirendra Chand, his teammates got scores to take the team to a good total.
Subash Khakurel (17) amended Paresh’s loss with 48-run partnership with Sharad Vesawkar. Sharad played slow for 38 runs but ensured the foundation for the score. His 97-ball knock consisted two fours while Dipendra Chaudhary (1) failed again.
Gyanendra Malla, Paras Khadka, Prasanna Shakya and Raju Basnet were on top of the bowlers hitting runs freely. Paras topscored with 43 off 41 balls in a knock that included four boundaries and a six while Gyanendra made run-a-ball 32 with six fours.
Prasanna hit four boundaries for his 27 off 28 balls and Raju ended the innings with Aamir Akhter (12 not out) remaining unbeaten on 22 scored in 25 balls. For Baitadi bowlers it was a hard day with Sher Singh Khatri leading the pack with 2/40 while Dhirendra too got two wickets. Rabindra Chand and Binod Chhetri each claimed a wicket.
After the break, Pramod made it hard for Baitadi batsmen bowling well consistently. Bowling 10-over opening spell, he gave away 23 runs for five wickets. His efforts put Baitadi at 55/6 in 18.1 overs – the remaining one wicket going to Raman Shrestha, and the match was already decided.
Sher Singh Khatri then hit brisk 40 off 42 balls with five fours and a six to take his team past three-digit partnering 50 runs with Padam KC. Binod Chhetri (13) stayed delaying the inevitable before Sharad came in to cap a good day with two wickets – of Binod and Padam, who got 26 off 64. Binod Bhandari hit two sixes and a four for 20 off 14 balls early in the innings.