Washim Halwai scored a half-century as Region No 5 Nepalgunj stunned hosts Region No 3 Kathmandu by four wickets in the Boost U-16 National League Cricket Tournament at the IOE Ground.
Kathmandu won the toss and elected to bat first. They got a good start as Dilman Rokka and Sharad Khadka scored 41 in 8.4 overs. But they suffered due to the lack of big scores from batsmen and a collapse of the tail-end.
Inamuddin Halwai of Nepalgunj bowls against Kathmandu. Photo by Nepal Sports Photo
Dilman got 29 off 48; Bijaya Rokaya got 27 off 38, captain Nupur Pandey 18 off 24 and Sharad 17 of 21 as the team at the ened of 29 overs curising well at 135/5. Then a landslide that including three run-outs ended their innings at 146 in 33 overs.
Prajwal Shahi, used as the seventh choice bowler, was most successful with 2/8 while Saud Ahmed Ansari, Inamuddin Halwai and Ainuddin Ansari each grabbed a wicket.
Nepalgunj’s reply began in a debacle with top three batsmen going back within four overs with only 15 on board. Nupur got two of the openers and Bijaya got one.
But the scenario changed with captain Wahsim on the pitch. He scored 64 off 67 balls with six fours to take his team home with the help of Rupak Nepali (28 off 44) and Ainuddin (20 off 16, with three fours and a six).
Bijaya grabbed two more to finish at 3/31 while Nupur’s figure was 2/31.
On January 7, Nepalgunj meets Region No 2 Birgunj at IOE while Kathmandu plays Baitadi at BSAM Ground. Both Birgunj and Baitadi have won their two previous games.
Photo: NepalSportsPhoto.com