DHANGADHI, April 10: Cracking an impressive half-century, Paras Khadka led Nepal XI to a 31-run victory over Dhangadhi XI in a charity T20 match played on the eve of Dhangadhi Cricket League at SSP Cricket Ground, Dhangadhi, on Sunday.
Paras made the highest 68 runs for Nepal XI, a team studded with national players against Dhangadhi XI consisting of local players of Dhangadhi.
Player-of-the-match Khadka marked his return to the pitch with a bang in the first match since his operation which kept him out of field for two months. During the match, Paras hit seven boundaries and four sixes.
Nepal XI, which had won the toss and decided to bat first, put on a total of 161 runs in 20 overs, losing eight wickets.
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Although Nepal XI made poor start as openers Sagar Pun and Dilip Nath left the crease without scoring any runs, Paras built up an 82-run partnership with Basanta Regmi for the third wicket, and a 63-run partnership with Sharad Veswakar for the fourth.
Spinner Basanta, who came in batting after two wickets down, contributed 43 runs, while Veswakar made 19 runs. The winning side also received 19 runs in extras.
Meanwhile, Dhangadhi XI’s Bikram Thagunna claimed four wickets giving away 21 runs. Sagar Bhandari and Padam KC took one wicket each.
In reply, Dhangadhi XI made just 130 runs in 20 overs losing eight wickets. Opener Sunil Dhamala made the highest 34 runs for his team, smashing four boundaries and a six. Dipendra Singh Airee contributed 26 runs hitting two boundaries and as may sixes. Dhangadhi XI received 14 runs in extras.
Nepal XI’s spinner Shakti Prasad Gauchan claimed three wickets giving away 24 runs, while Sompal Kami bowled out two batsmen. Mahaboob Alam, Sandeep Lamichhane and Avinash Karn took a wicket each.
The city-based cricket tournament being jointly organized by Dhangadhi Cricket Academy (DCA) and Sudur Paschimanchal Academy (SPA) will kick off on Monday.
The first match will see the battle between national team vice-captain Gyanendra Malla-led CYC Attariya and Kathmandu Goldens captained by Basanta Regmi at SSP Cricket Ground, Dhangadhi. In the second match of the day, Shakti Gauchan-led Rupandehi Challengers will take on Binod Bhandari’s Kanchanpur Iconic.
The winner of the tournament -- which features six teams including two from Kailali and one each from Biratnagar, Kathmandu, Rupandehai and Kanchanpur -- will win Rs 1.5 million. The runner-up will be rewarded with Rs 700,000.
