Region No 6 Baitadi clinched the title of the U-16 National Cricket Tournament as they defeated Region No 4 Bhairahawa by six wickets on Thursday at the TU Cricket Ground. It was the maiden title victory for Baitadi in men’s section of domestic cricket.
The title became first major achievement for Baitiadi after they were introduced as the sixth cricketing region in domestic cricket in 2063 BS.
Bhairahawa had lost the U-16 final in the last edition but against Birgunj.
On Thursday, electing to bat first, Bhairahawa managed to score 136 runs losing nine wickets in 40 overs. Baitadi comfortably surpassed the target in 28.3 overs losing four wickets.
Bhairahawa batsmen were uncomfortable against the tight bowling of Baitadi. Bhairahawa had lost its three wickets with 13 runs on board. Opener Nurdhoj Sen (6), Sabin Ratna Shakya (2) and Khum Bahadur Disuwa (1) were the top order batsmen sent back to the pavilion.
Prithvi Chhetri and Iklakh Ahmed shared 45-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Chhetri was sent back to the pavilion by Deependra Chand in 21st overs.
After the fall of Chhetri, Bhairahawa continued to lose wickets in regular intervals but Ahmed stayed on the crease. Ahmed scored 43 runs off 69 including six boundaries. Bhim Sarki, Jagdish Chand, Bikash Bam and Deependra Chand grabbed two wickets each for Baitadi.
Chasing comfortable target, Baitadi made solid start with 58-run partnership for the first wicket between Deependra Chand and Tekendra Mal. Chand scored 35 runs off 53 balls and gave away his wicket to Ahmed in 12.4 overs. Puran Bahadur Singh and Mal shared 28-run partnership for the second wicket.
Singh gave away his wicket on 11 runs off 21 balls while Mal was removed from the creased on 35 runs off 52 balls. Jagdish Chand and Bhim Sarki guided the team towards victory. Chand score 18 runs off 14 balls that included two huge sixes among which latter paved victory of the team.
Iklakh Ahmed took two wickets while Parvez Alam and Rahul Bhattarai grabbed a wicket each.
With the win Baitadi bagged Rs 15,000 while runner up Bhairahawa satisfied with Rs 10,000. Baitadi’s Bhim Sarki was adjudged as the best bowler of the tournament with nine wickets in three innings and skipper Deependra Chand received player of the final.
Baitadi coach Birendra Shahi termed the result as the historical achievement for the region.
Coach Shahi commented that the batting department of his team was sound and registered comfortable victory. “The pitch supported spinners well and we fielded more spinners than fast bowlers which resulted in our historic win.”
Skipper of Bhairahawa Sabin Ratna Shakya blamed bad luck and poor batting of the side for the defeat. “Cricket is the game of luck and we did not have any luck today.”
Aquib Ali Ansari of Region No 2 Birgunj received the best batsman of the tournament award while Iklakh Ahmed was adjudged player-of-the-series.IdealEnglishSchoolannounced scholarship programs for all the individual award winners.