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Nepalgunj continue giant-killing spree
KATHMANDU, NOV 09 - Region Number 5 (Nepalgunj) continued their dream run in the U-17 National Cricket Tournament securing a thrilling eight-run win over Region Number 1 (Biratnagar) today at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground.
This was the second consecutive win for underdogs Nepalgunj while pre-tournament favourites Biratnagar have already lost two matches out of three they have played in the tournament so far. The only win for Biratnagar came against strong Kathmandu.
Four crucial run-outs at the middle of the innings saw Biratnagar go down against the spirited Nepalgunj that put on tournament’s highest total of 169 runs in the allotted 40 overs after Biratnagar put them in to bat earlier. Biratnagar lost five quick wickets while chasing a moderate target but brilliant Ratan Rauniyar and Sunil Shah brought the team back on track. Biratnagar needed 18 runs in the last over but they could only manage nine runs as Nepalgunj completed their two-match unbeaten streak.
Earlier, Dhan Bahadur Chettri scored 50 runs before being run out and Irfan Siddhiqui joined run-feast scoring quick 28 runs as Nepalgunj set a commanding target of 170 runs aided by 37 extra runs conceded by Biratnagar.
Biratnagar spinners did well to check run flow but medium pacers conceded 50-plus runs in the last 10 overs. Right-arm spinners Anjel Acharya and Ratan Rauniyar were the pick of the bowlers claiming three and two wickets respectively.
Disciplined bowling and agile fielding from Nepalgunj colts saw Biratnagar loose their five top-order batsmen adding only 24 runs on the board. Tail-enders did their best but slow scoring from top-orders found Biratnagar nine runs short of their victory target in 40 overs for the loss of nine wickets. Bhairahawa (Region No 4) will play their first match of the tournament against Birgunj (Region No 2) on Sunday.Posted on: 2003-11-08 09:04
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