Avinash Karn, who achieved the unique feat of taking all the 10 wickets in an innings during a group round match against Region No 6 Baitadi on Monday, bowled another magical spell on Thursday to steer Region No 2 Birgunj to the final of Wai Wai U-19 National Cricket Tournament.
Karn took six wickets against Region No 3 Kathmandu as Birgunj registered a 37-run victory in the semifinal played at the Pulchowk Cricket Ground and set up a title clash against Region No 4 Bhairahawa. Bhairahawa secured a final berth defeating Region No 7 Janakpur by 89 runs at the TU Cricket Ground.
Birgunj elected to bat first and opener Amit Shrestha, who was later adjudged man of the match, justified the decision with a century.
Birgunj were all out for 250 runs in 47.2 overs. Man-of-the-match Shrestha faced 100 balls for his 114 runs, which included 15 boundaries and three sixes. Mohammad Hasim added 29 runs for Birgunj. Rajesh Pulami took five wickets for Kathmandu.
In reply, Kathmandu were all out for 213 runs in 45.1 overs. Subash Khakurel (60 runs off 76 balls) and skipper Prithu Baskota (53 runs off 76 balls) gave some hope to Kathmandu with their impressive knocks, but Karn (6 wickets) and Bibek Dali (3 wickets) took wickets in regular intervals to help their team to victory.
In the second semifinal, Bhairahawa elected to bat first and put up 203/9 in the allotted 50 overs. Though the team lost wickets cheaply, opener Faizrul Rahman Khan (53 runs off 64 balls) and middle-order batsman Krishna Karki (unbeaten 75 runs off 90 balls) anchored the Bhairahawa innings. Sameer Nepal took four wickets for Janakpur.
In reply, Janakpur were all out for 114 runs in 39.2 overs. Chandan Jha (31 runs off 88 balls) and Rahul Pratap Singh (23 runs off 52 balls) were the only two batsmen to reach double figures. Bibek Chaudhary took four wickets for Bhairahawa.
The final between Birgunj and Bhairahawa will be played on Friday at the TU Cricket Ground.