Cricnepal/Kathmandu: Bhairahawa defeated Biratnagar by 43 runs in the Pepsi Standard Chartered One Day National Tournament. Sagar Pun made a imposing century to place his side into the knock rounds of the tournament.
Bhairahawa posted a 281 thanks to a blistering century from Sagar who made 144 runs of 130 balls with 19 amazing fours and four sixes Sagar and Fajlur added 157 runs for the first wickets before Manjeet Shrestha bowled Fajlur for 54 runs of 111 balls. Krishna Karki contributed with 28 of 27 balls Moinuddin Khan scored 25 of just 10 balls in an innings that included 2 sixes and a boundry.
Puspha Thapa got four wickets for Biratnagar.
In reply Biratnagar could only get 238 runs in 44th over. Puspa Thapa ,topscored with fighting 63 runs for Biratnagar Manoj Mandal and Raj Kumar Pradhan made 39 and 33 for the losing side. Bibek Chaudhary and Lal Bahadur Chaudhary picked three wickets each to restrict Biratnagar 43 runs below the target.
With this win Bhairahawa have 4 points from three matches and have qualified for the semis. Pokhara do too have 4 points but Bhairahawa qualify on grounds of beating Pokhara in their match earlier in the tournament
Sagar was adjudged the man of the match.
Kathmandu vs. Nepalgunj
Kathmandu(R3) defeated Nepalgunj(R5) by 70 runs to keep their hopes of Semi final alive. Batting first Kathmandu posted a massive score of 304 losing 9 wickets thanks to half centuries from opener Niraj Bhattarai and Rajesh Pulami. Niraj made 64 of 68 balls before falling to Siddhant Raj Shahi in the 23rd over as the first wicket. Niraj with the other opener Robin Joshi added 112 runs together. Robin made 38 of 78 balls Rajesh scored blazing 51 of just 41 balls while Munir Shrestha made 39 of 36 balls to push laying groundwork for a 300 plus score.
Nasir Ansari, Anupa Singh and Siddhant Raj Sha picked two wickets each for Nepalgunj.
In reply Nepalgunj had started the innings with winning intent the openers Mahesh Chhetri and Rupesh Sharma adding 74runs in the first powerplay. The first wicket fell for 79 in the fourth ball of 11th over, Rupesh caught off Niraj for 30. Mahesh fell soon, one runs short of half century when the score was 96. The innings went downhill from there as Nepalgunj could only get to 234 runs before getting knocked over in 43rd over. Niraj Basnet led the wickets tally with 3 wickets, while Niraj Bhattarai picked up two.
Niraj Bhattarai was declared man of the match for his all round performance
Tomorrow’s match:
Bhairahawa vs. Baitadi
Kathmandu vs. Birgunj
