Cricket

Sudurpaschim Province avenged last year’s defeat against Lumbini, beating the holders by six wickets to lift the U-19 National Cricket title in the tournament final at the TU Cricket Ground on Monday.

After wrapping the Lumbini innings for 92 runs in 29.1 overs, Sudurpaschim reached the target, losing four wickets in 21 overs. 

Sudurpaschim, who entered the final with a perfect record in six league outings, collected a cheque for Rs 200,000 besides the winners’ trophy. Runners-up Lumbini received Rs100,000. 

Gajendra Bohara remained unbeaten on 39 runs off 19 balls with six fours and two sixes. He hit Abhishek Gautam for a winning six to complete the win. 

However, Sudurpaschim’s chase was not plain sailing. Opener Deepak Bohara was bowled for a duck in the second ball of Lumbini bowler Nirmal Gurung’s opening over.

Another opener Deepak Bohara was dismissed for 25 runs off 36 balls with two fours and as many sixes. Captain Anurag Singh was out for 22 off 39 balls with four fours and Milan Bohra was out for six.

Lumbini's Ramesh Kumi took two wickets, Abhishek Gautam and Nirmal Gurung took one wicket each.

Defending champions Lumbini, who won the toss and elected to bat first, ran into trouble early on. 

It was only because of Akash Tripathi’s resolute inning that Lumbini crossed the 50- run mark. Tripathi made 38 runs from 69. 

Sudurpaschim’s relentless attack saw nine of the batters fail to reach double figures. Four of them returned without scoring.

Lumbini scored 27 runs after the fall of first wicket. Fast bowler Hemant Dhami dismissed opener Dev Khanal for seven runs. That opened the flood gates, as Lumbini lost consecutive wickets.
Prajwal Thapa, Manoj Magar, Bishal KC and Abhishek Gautam all had a brief sojourn in the middle.  

Milan Bohara completed his second five-wicket haul in the tournament. Earlier, he snared six wickets against Gandaki. Naren Soud and Hemant Dhami took two wickets each, while Akash Chand picked up one.

Sudurpaschim all-rounder Bohara bags best player award 

Sudurpaschim all-rounder Milan Bohara has been adjudged the player of the tournament in the U-19 National Cricket Tournament.

He was instrumental in his team’s journey to the final where they beat Lumbini by six wickets. He was awarded a cash prize of Rs15,000 for his efforts.

Orthodox spinner Bohara was the second most successful bowler with 16 wickets, giving away 78 runs. He was the only bowler who picked up a five-wicket haul twice in the tournament – six against Gandaki in the league stages and five against Lumbini in the final. Out of the 36.5 overs he bowled in seven matches of the competition, eight were maiden. He contributed 170 runs with the bat. 

The best bowler title went to Dipesh Kandel of Province 1. He took 16 wickets in six matches. He received Rs10,000. Kandel edged Sudurpaschim quick Hemant Dhami for the title. Dhami was the highest wicket taker in the tournament with 17 from 41 overs in seven matches at an economy rate of 4.43. 

Bagmati Province’s Prateek Shrestha was the tournament’s best batter. He scored 251 runs, including a century, in six matches. He received Rs10,000.