Region No 3 (Kathmandu) won the Wai Wai U-19 National Cricket Tournament on Saturday defeating Region No 2 (Birgunj) in the final by 86 runs at the Pulchowk Engineering College ground in Pulchowk.
Player-of-the-final Prakash Bista-B claimed six wickets as Kathmandu defended a modest target of 179 runs to lift the trophy. The champion and the runner-up bagged Rs 25,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively along with trophies, medals and certificates.
Winner Team!
Skipper Bibhatshu Thapa topscored with 52 runs for Kathmandu that managed 178 runs in 46.3 overs after electing to bat first. In the run-chase, Birgunj was bowled out for 92 runs in 26.3 overs.
Thapa shared an 81-run partnership for the second wicket with opener Prakash Bista-A (27), the second-highest scorer for Kathmandu. Thapa hit five boundaries during his patient knock of 89 balls before being bowled by Suraj Prasad Kurmi. Bista-B struck five boundaries facing 29 deliveries.
Pawan Shrestha (24), Purushottam Jha (19 not out), Arjun Adhikari (12) and Navin Kumar Yadav (13) were the other batsmen to reach double figures for Kathmandu that received 17 runs in extras.
Ram Naresh Giri was the most successful bowler for Birgunj with four wickets. Giri conceded 40 runs in his 8.3-overs, which included a maiden. Ashib Poudel finished with 3-32 and a maiden in his 10-over spell. Irshad Ahamad claimed two tickets and Suraj Kurmi took one.
In reply, Bista-B ripped through the Birgunj batting order claiming six wickets for 23 runs. His 7.3-over spell included a maiden. Som Pal Kami bowled eight overs, including three maidens, finishing with 3-27. Navin Kumar Yadav took 1-11.
Anil Sah was the only batsman for Kathmandu to reach double figures. He scored 54 off 58 but could not find support from the other end. He smashed seven fours and a six. Sah was bowled by Kami.
Lalit Singh Bhandari of Region No 9 (Kanchanpur) won the man-of-the-series award and received Rs 10,000. Bhandari´s teammate Sunil Dhamala and Abhishek Jha of Region No 7 (Janakpur) won the best batsman and best bowler awards. Both received Rs 5,000. Player-of-the-final Prakash Bista-B of Kathmandu also received Rs 5,000.
Man of the series Lalit Singh Bhandari being presented with a cheque by Chaudhary Group AGM Lal Babu Sah
National Sports Council Member Secretary Yuvaraj Lama, Cricket Association of Nepal Vice-president Shree Niwas Rana, General Secretary Ashok Nath Pyakurel, and Chaudhary Group AGM Lal Babu Sah and Senior Marketing Manager Surendra Khanal, among others, gave away the awards to the winners.