Region Number 2 Birgunj entered into the finals finishing as winners from the group B of the ongoing Wai Wai Under 19 National Cricket Tournament here today.
At Tribhuwan University Ground, Birgunj registered a three wickets over Region Number I Biratnagar.
Birgatnagar opted to bat first and played all 50 overs to make a respectable total of 213 runs in loss of 8 wickets.
Siddhant Lohani remained unbeaten with the top score of 52 runs in 62 deliveries that included five fours and a six. From 114-6, Lohani shared a 52 runs partnership for seventh wicket with Amit Dahal who scored 26 runs off 28 balls including two fours. Lohani also shared a 38 runs partnership with Puran BK for eighth wicket. BK remained not out at 13 runs. Suman Shrestha 28(70), Hari Chaulagai 20(23) and Kamal Kishore Premi 30(64) were some other major contributors for Biratnagar.
Jatta Shankar Sharraf picked up two wickets while Jitendra Mukhiya, Bibek Dali, Naresh Raj Giri and Aakib Ansari shared wicket apiece for Birgunj.
In reply, with the help of unbeaten 72 from Bijay Ghalan Birgunj chased the target in 45.4 overs in loss of only three wickets.
Man of the match Ghalan remained not out at 72 runs from 145 balls hitting seven fours and shared a 97 runs opening partnership with Hasim Ansari. Ansari scored 49 runs off 44 balls with eight fours. Ansari then shared a partnership of 47 runs with Shiva Tandukar. Tandukar made 25 runs off 40 balls including three fours and a six. Ghalan shared a 65 runs winning partnership with Suraj Kurmi. Kurmi had a 45-ball 43 with five fours and two sixes.
Nigav Khatiwada, Siddhant Lohani and Jugal Kishore Chaudhary picked up a wicket each for Biratnagar.
At Engineering Ground, Pulchowk Region Number VIII Pokhara tasted the third defeat after losing to Region Number III Kathmandu by four wickets.
Winning the toss, Pokhara elected to bat first and scored a low total of 137 runs in 43.4 overs losing all wickets. Aakash Thapa top scored with 41 runs off 40 balls including seven fours while Amrit Shresha added another 40 runs off 88 deliveries hitting three fours. None of the other batsman went past the double digit score.
Rajan Karki bowled 4 overs to pick up three wickets while Bijay Gautam also picked up equal wickets. Jagat Chhetri claimed two wickets while Jeeba Lal Bhattarai took one.
In reply, Kathmando lost six wickets to chase the target in 25.1 overs. Pawan Shrestha guided Kathmandu to victory after scoring 54 runs off 56 balls including six fours and also shared a 49 runs partnership with Bijay Gautam(12). Robin Joshi scored 13 runs while Sharad Khadka added 11 for Kathmandu’s chase.
Sushil Kandel claimed three wickets while Amrit Shrestha, Govinda Pradhan and Anil Gurung picked up a wicket each for Pokhara.
Pawan Shrestha was adjudged as man of the match.
The group A matches will resume from Sunday with Region Number IV Bhairahawa taking on Region Number VII Janakpur and Region Number V Nepalgunk playing against Region Number VI Baitadi.
