Janakpur won the inaugural National U-19 Woman Cricket Tournament beating Bhairahawa by 6 wickets in the final at the TU Cricket Ground.
Batting first Bhairahawa scored 66 for 8 wickets in allotted 20 overs. Janakpur needed 14.3 overs to overcome the target in the loss of four wickets.
Bhairahawa batswoman scored slow failing to cope with tight bowling by Janakpur girls. Kabita Gautam claimed Nitu Bhandari in the third over and Bhairahawa remained longing for a watch winning knock.
Pratikshya Bashyal, who was out in the last over, could not get runs as required. Her 52-ball knock for 19 runs was the tale of the Bhairahawa batting, which was also marred by four run-outs.
Indu Berma scored 11 in 12 balls with two fours and Asna Thapa remained unbeaten on 11 off 17 balls as no other batswomen reached double-digit. Janakpur women gave away 17 runs as extras.
Janapur with the trophy. Photo courtesy: CAN
Kabita claimed a couple of wickets while Santoshi Chaudhary and Mamta Chaudhary took a wicket each for Janakpur.
Janakpur openers gave the team a solid start adding 28 runs in 5 overs before Anuradha Chaudhary was out for 14 off 20 balls. She hit a couple of boundaries.
Other opener Shanti Chaudhary scored 9 while Mamta partnered Usha Bhujel for another 28-run partnership taking the team near the victory. Pooja Pandey, the lone wicket taker for Bhairahawa added a little spice to the match claiming two wickets in 14th over when the score was leveled. Usha was out for 17 off 28 balls with three fours and Kabita was out for naught.
Pooja returned with a figure of 4 wickets for 23 runs.
It was disheartening for Bhairahawa, who had played well during the tournament to claim the best batswoman and player of the series titles, to finish second.
Pratikshya Bashyal was adjudged the best batswoman of the tournament for her 93 runs at an average of 46.5 in three matches.
Indu Berma was awarded Player of the Series for her 115 runs off 98 balls in 5 matches at an average of 57.5 and taking 7 wickets in 13.2 overs.
Kathmandu’s Shilu Rijal was awarded best bowler for her 8 wickets in 5 matches. Birgunj’s Manisha Chaulagai was adjudged best wicketkeeper.
Prizes were given away by Tanka Angbuhang, president of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), CAN vice-presidents Tarini Bikram Shah and Sriniwas Rana, CAN General Secretary Ashok Nath Pyakuryal and national coach Pubudu Dassanayake.
Meanwhile, Angbuhang gave Rs. 5000 cash to both winner & runner up teams.