Province-3 claim U-16 cricket title

Province-3 team members celebrate with the trophy after winning the U-16 National Cricket Tournament at the Tribhuvan University Stadium in Kathmandu on Monday. Photo: THT

Kathmandu, April 8

Province-3 defeated Province-5 by 33 runs to win the title of the U-16 National Cricket Tournament here at the Tribhuvan University Stadium today.

Electing to bat first, Province-3 posted 162-5 in their allotted 30 overs before restricting Province-5 to 139-8. Province-3 were struggling at 37-3 at one stage before skipper Deepak Bohara and Abhishek Upadhyaya revived the innings with a 58-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Upadhyaya top scored for the team with 56 off 71 balls that included two fours.

Skipper Bohara and Prashant Mahat then added 55 runs for the fifth wicket to help the team post a challenging total. Mahat remained unbeaten on 34 off 32 balls that included one each four and six, while Bohara scored 39-ball 30 with the help of four boundaries. Ramesh Kurmi and Suraj Khadka took two wickets each for Province-5.

In reply, Province-5 made a disastrous start losing three wickets for 31 runs. Bishal Bikram KC and Amar Mishra added 61 runs for the fourth wicket to bring the team back into the match. But the innings folded cheaply after the dismissal of KC, who scored 44 off 46.

Mishra scored 44-ball 29 hitting two fours and a six.

Bibek Darai and Deepak Bohara took two wickets each for Province-3, while Sakriya Karki and Tilak Bhandari snapped one apiece.

Champions Province-3 received cricket kits worth Rs 150,000, while Province-5 got gears worth Rs 75,000. Bishal Bikram KC of Province-5 was named the player of the series, while his teammate Ramesh Kurmi got the best bowler’s award.

Aaish Bhattarai of Province-3 was declared the best batsman, while Arjun Kumal of Province-4 was declared the emerging player.

A total of seven teams, one each from seven provinces, took part in the tournament organised by Ministry of Youth and Sports under the aegis of National Sports Council.

The event, which was managed b Madan Bhandari Sports Academy, also served as the selection for the ACC U-16 Eastern Region Tournament slated for Chiang Mai, Thailand from April 18-29. Coaches Basanta Shahi Thakuri and Manjur Alam will look after the youth team.