Sudurpaschim Province crushed Lumbini Province by six wickets to clinch the Under-19 National Cricket Tournament title at the TU cricket ground in Kirtipur on Monday.

Left-arm orthodox Milan Bohara took 5 for 15 to dismiss Lumbini for a low total of 92 in 29.1 overs after Lumbini was sent in to bat first.

In reply, Sudurpaschim chased down their small target in just 21 overs to wrap up their Under-19 campaign with a perfect record.

The win also served as a sweet revenge for Sudurpaschim, who had lost to Lumbini in the last edition’s final.

Lumbini romped into the title match after a shocking 85-run win over Bagmati gave them an edge, aided by Sudurpaschim’s seven-wicket drubbing of Bagmati in the final round of the single round-robin league.

But Sudurpaschim showed Lumbini why they were the deserving champions, rattling the Lumbini batting line up with a ruthless attack, right from the start of the innings.

Hemant Dhami (2-13) struck early, trapping opener Dev Khanal for seven on the fifth delivery of the seventh over.

Lumbini were 27/1 when Khanal departed. His opening partner Aakash Tripathi defied the Sudurpaschim bowlers hitting 38 off 69 balls.

But Lumbini wickets kept falling at regular intervals with the Sudurpaschim spinner Bohara weaving his magic.

It was Bohara who claimed the prized wicket of Tripathi, stumped by wicket keeper Sunil Chand.

Nar Sarki (11) was the second-highest scorer for Lumbini even as nine batters failed to reach the double-digit scores, four of them leaving the crease without making a run.

Bohara’s five-for also included the wickets of captain Bishal Bikram KC (7), Nirmal Gurung (0), Sarki and Avishek Gautam (0).

Bohara ended the campaign with 16 wickets in seven innings. Bohara, who also scored 170 runs including a half century (76-ball 64 against Province 1 on November 28) was also adjudged the player of the match as well as of the tournament.

Naren Saud also picked two wickets.

In the run chase, Sudurpaschim lost opener Deepak Bohara for a nought. But number two batter Dipak Bohara (25) and captain Anuraj Singh (22) put on a crucial 48-runs stand to lay the foundation for victory.

Gajendra Bohara then added 39 not out in his quick-fire 19-ball knock, hitting two straight boundaries and a six off the last three balls of the 21st over to complete a comprehensive win.

Ramesh Kurmi picked up two wickets for Lumbini.

Dipesh Kandel of Province 1 was adjudged the best bowler, while Pratik Shrestha of Bagmati was named best batter of the tournament.

Dipesh took 16 wickets in a 52.5 over bowling spell across six innings that included 12 maiden overs.

Shrestha made 251 runs in five innings, which also included the tournament’s highest score, an unbeaten 142 against Province 1 on November 25.

Scorecard

U-19 National Cricket Tournament

Final, TU cricket ground

Toss: Lumbini, elected to bat first.

Lumbini 92

A Tripathi 38 (69)

M Bohara 9-2-15-5, H Dhami 6-0-13-2

Sudurpaschim 93-4 (21/50 ov)

G Bohara 39 not out (19)

Dipak Bohara 25 (36)

Sudurpaschim won by six wickets.

Player of the match: Milan Bohara

……

Player of the series: Milan Bohara (Sudurpaschim):16 wkts-170 runs (seven innings)

Best batter: Pratik Shrestha (Bagmati): 251 runs five innings

Best bowler: Dipesh Kandel (Province 1): 16 wickets in six innings-12 maiden overs