Binod Das bowled a dream spell taking six wickets in three overs to keep Region No 2 Birgunj in hunt of the spot in the final of the Pepsi Men’s Twenty20 National League at IOE Ground.
With Binod’s record-breaking 6/6, Birgunj defeated Region No 6 Baitadi by 3 wickets as Region No 4 Bhairahawa continued unbeaten run with a 25-run win over Region No 5 Nepalgunj.
Binod, who struggled in earlier matches, came back strongly in the rain-reduced 15-over match.
Despite his burst, Baitadi managed to amass a good total of 106/8 in 15 overs with Pradeep Airee (29 off 37), Binod Bhandari (29 off 22) and 29 extras contributing to the total. Naresh Budayar his two sixes for 14 in 8 overs.
In reply, Dipendra Shah (33 off 30), Anil Mandal (26 off 27) and Yasin Hawari (14 off 8 balls) contributed for the victory that Birgunj achieved in 13.5 overs despite losing a few wickets here and there.
Pradeep and Binod Chhetri each grabbed two wickets.
In the other match, Rahul BK put on an all-round performance for Bhairahawa’s third victory in as many matches. Batting first, they scored 112/8 in 20 overs and bowled out Nepalgunj for 87 in 19.5 overs.
Rahul scored 18 – matched by Shakti Gauchan as Bhairahawa benefitted from 24 extras. Antim Thapa made 11 while Subash Pradhan, Faizal Khan, Durgesh Rajali and Dipesh Khatri scored 8 for the team.
Sandeep Shrestha grabbed 4/8 in his four overs.
In reply, Nepalgunj lost Shahid Riza for zero in the first over. Mahesh Chhetri (17 off 17) and Rupesh Sharma (23 off 23) added 28 in four overs but a few quick wickets put them on backfoot. Sandeep (11) and Navin Shahi (15) got a few runs but could not change the equation.
Rahul grabbed 2/8 while Krishna Karki also got two wickets.
On June 4, Region No 3 Kathmandu plays Region No 5 Nepalgunj.