By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – An inspired performance by spinner Sher Malla and Narendra Saud helped Sudur Paschim Province register an easy win over Province 1 in the U-19 National Cricket Tournament on Wednesday. Sudur Paschim has climbed to the second position in the table after the victory. This crucial win has also improved the chances of Sudur Paschim entering the final by finishing among the top two teams in the league round.
Sudur Paschim met an easy target of 91 runs in 31 overs by losing four wickets during the match held at Mulpani Cricket Ground. Arjun Saud of Sudur Paschim was unbeaten on 32 runs off 66 balls. He hit four boundaries and two sixes. Likewise, Basanta Karki also remained not out on 37 runs off 70 balls as he hit one four and a six. Other batsmen were dismissed cheaply as Khadak Bohora fell for just one run and Naresh Bhatta was out for a duck while Deepak Tamta managed to score 10 runs and Lokesh Bam scored six. Abhinaya Rajbanshi of Province 1 took two wickets in seven overs including three maidens giving away 31 runs. Shrawan Kisku and Ankit Subedi took one wicket each.
Earlier, Province 1 was invited to bat first after losing the toss and were all out in 24 overs with just 90 runs on board. Ankit Subedi of Province 1 contributed 61 runs off 71 balls that included nine boundaries. No other batsman was able to score in double digits. Sher Malla took four wickets for Sudur Paschim giving away 31 runs in 9 overs including one maiden. Likewise, Narendra Saud took three wickets in 4 overs including one maiden giving away 13 runs while Kailash Aire took two wickets.
The top two teams will enter the final after each of the teams from the seven provinces face each other in the league round. The final will be held on December 5. Lumbini Province tops the standing with 10 points from six matches including five wins and a defeat. Sudur Paschim is second with three wins and two defeats from five matches. Sudur Paschim will face Bagmati Province in its last league match on Friday at TU Cricket Ground.
Sudur Paschim will enter the final if it registers a wide-margin victory during Friday’s match. However, victory alone will not ensure the team a place in the final. It also has to wait for the result of Province 1, which is third in the standings with three wins and two defeats from five matches.
Province 1 will take on Gandaki Province in its last league match at TU Cricket Ground on Thursday. Province 1 also has a chance to finish among the top two teams provided that it secures victory with a wide margin.
If Province 1 and Sudur Paschim Province face defeat in the last match of league round, one among Bagmati, Gandaki and Province 2 will enter the final.
Bagmati, Gandaki and Province 2 have all garnered four points each with two wins from five matches but are fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. Karnali is on rock bottom with four defeats from five matches.
