Cricnepal/Kathmandu: Region Number 8 Pokhara suffered a one-wicket victory in an exciting group stage match of the Under 19 National Cricket Tournament being held in Pokhara on Sunday.
Pokhara scored a total of 140 runs losing all wickets in 41.5 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat first. Pokhara were awarded 31 extras while the top score came from Anil Gurung who scored 28 runs off 65 balls. Gurung shared an opening partnership of 44 runs with Akash Thapa who scored 19 runs before being trapped leg before wicket. Nischal Pandey 16, Bijay Rawat 11 and Dhurba Karki 10 were some other major scorers.
For Birgunj, Nabin Yadav grabbed three wickets while Avinash Karn, Irshad Ahamad and Aarif Sheikh took two wickets each. Ram Naresh Giri also had one in his account.
In reply, Birgunj toiled hard to chase the target. Birgunj managed to beat the host in 44.5 overs with a wicket in hand. Bikram Basnet and Suraj Prasad Kurmi scored 28 runs each for Birgunj’s chase. Ram Naresh Giri 27 and Aarif Sheikh 25 were the others to make a double-digit score.
Dipesh Shrestha claimed three wickets, Nischal Pandey took two while Shiva Shrestha, Sushil Kandel, Rajesh Lamsal, and Bijay Rawat shared a wicket each for Pokhara.
Ram Naresh Giri was awarded man of the match.
Birgunj will now take on Region Number 7 Janakpur on Monday.
