By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Fast bowler Prakash Jaisi’s eight-wicket haul against Province 2 during the U-19 National Cricket Tournament helped Karnali Province restore their pride and end the tournament on a happy note as they registered a two-wicket victory in the final match of league round. Earlier, Karnali Province had registered a wide-margin victory of 140 runs against Lumbini Province in their opening match but were confined to the bottom of the standings with four successive defeats. Thursday’s victory ensured that Karnali Province finishes the league round in sixth position while it has also effectively ended the hopes of Province 2 of making it to the final.
During the match held at Mulpani Cricket Ground on Thursday, Province 2 won the toss and opted to bat first. The team lost all the wickets in 13.4 overs with just 45 runs on board. Sunny Sah of Province 2 scored the maximum 12 runs off 16 balls that included a four and a six while Santosh Karki managed to score 11 runs. None of the other players of Province 2 were able to score in double digits. Trita Raj Das scored eight runs followed by Rohan BK with four while Amit Yadav, Aadil Ansari, Bivek Kumar Yadav, Pradeep Paswan and Ashish Jha were out for a duck. Prakash Jaisi of Karnali Province was the pick of the bowlers taking eight wickets in 6.4 overs including three maidens. He gave away 16 runs.
In reply, Karnali Province met the target of 46 runs losing eight wickets. Prakash Jaisi was the top scorer with 16 runs off 10 balls. Bipin Rawal and Ramesh Budha were run out on 5 and 3 runs respectively. Raj Shah was not out on 6 runs from 17 balls. Rajesh Yadav of Province 2 took six wickets in 6.3 overs while Bivek Yadav took two wickets.
The top two teams in the league round from among the seven provinces will feature in the final scheduled for December 5. Lumbini Province has already secured a place in the final by securing the top position in the standings with 10 points from six matches, which includes five victories and one defeat. Sudur Paschim will take on Bagmati Province in the final league match on Friday. If Sudur Paschim wins the match, it will secure a place in the final as the second ranked team with 8 points.
