Heroic batting performance lead by iconic Hayat helped Biratnagar Kings to overcome Rupandehi Challengers by 42 runs.
Challengers invited Kings to bat first. King’s openers, Anil Kumar Sah, and Dilip Nath started the inning aggressively and added 45 runs for the first wicket, they only took 39 balls to do so. Anil Kumar Sah lead the partnership with 36 runs from 25 balls. He smashed 3 sixes and fours respectively to gave Kings a flying start. After Sah’s departure, Babar Hayat joined Nath and shared 79 runs partnership in 50 balls. Nath’s wicket in 15th over broke the all important partnership, who scored 43 runs consuming 37 balls, in-between he smashed 6 fours and a hit over the rope. Babar Hayat was top scorer for Kings, who produced stunning 35ball- 58 runs inning. He smashed 4 fours and sixes respectively. His wicket in 17th over, brought King’s skipper, Paras Khadka in with Saurab Khanal already batting at another end. They shared very useful 39 runs taking 20 balls, which resulted King’s massive total of 181 runs with the lost of 4 wickets in inscribed 20 overs. Paras Khadka scored 22 runs in 12 balls with 3 fours and a six. Saurab Khanal too played handy cameo with unbeaten 17 runs from 11 balls. He smashed a six and four respectively to take his side towards massive total. Sufyan Mehmood was top wicket taker for Challengers who claimed 2 wickets, expensing 39 runs in his bowling spell of 4 overs. Jitendra Mukhiya and Sagar Pun chipped in with a wicket each.
Chasing the mammoth target, Challengers didn’t started it too well, losing Sagar Pun early in the inning. Sagar Pun scored 5 runs before getting caught from Babar Hayat off Giri’s delivery. After then, Pradeep Airee along with young Kushal Malla (06) tried to control Challenger’s inning but foreign bowler, Kamat was too good against Malla. While other batsmen was not being able to stay there for long time, Airee scored fighting 54 runs from 50 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Airre’s wicket during 13th overs slow down all Challenger’s hope. Sufyan Mehmood, Routela, Bhusal all departed cheaply. In the end, skipper Gauchan and Bhari showed strong determination, but damage was already caused by their top and middle order. Bhari smashed unbeaten 9ball- 21 runs with a four and 2 sixes. Gauchan too scored unbeaten 14 runs from 15 balls. By the end of 20 overs, Challengers found themselves 42 runs behind. For kings, Kamat was pick of the bowler with 3 wickets in his name. He bowled brilliantly to achieved applaudable figure of (4-0-18-3). Giri and Khadka too claimed 2 and a wicket respectively.
Biratnagar Kings will face Team Chauraha Dhangadhi and Rupandehi Challengers will meet Mahendranagar United tomorrow.
