Nepalgunj clinches women's cricket national championship

Nepalgunj defeated Baitadi by 18 runs to clinch the title of Wai Wai Women's National Cricket Tournament at TU Cricket Ground, Saturday.

Though Nepalgunj were restricted to just 58 runs in 24.4 overs, they forced Baitadi to fold at just 40-8 in stipulated 25 overs to win the title.

For Nepalgunj, Sarita Thapa Magar top-scored with 13 from 23 deliveries. Trishna Singh made 8 and Sita Rana Magar scored six runs. Bowlers Janaki Bhatta took 3-10 and Manisha Thapa finished with 3-11 from five overs for Baitadi. Ritu Kanojiya claimed two wickets and Rekha Rawal one.

In reply, Baitadi batswomen seemed helpless and lost their wickets in frequent intervals. Baitadi lost their top three batswomen for ducks.

Nepalgunj skipper Nery Thapa Magar took two wickets and Trishna Singh claimed one. The winners received a cheque of Rs 25,000 while the runners up bagged Rs 15,000. Ritu Kanojiya of Baitadi, who scored 28 runs and took nine wickets, was declared the player of the tournament as well as the best bowler. Bhairahawa skipper Nitu Thapa won the best batswoman's award.

In all, six regional teams took part in the tournament organised by Regional Cricket Development Committee (Kathmandu) under the sponsorship of Chaudhary Group's CG Foods. Member Secretary of National Sports Council Jeevan Ram Shrestha and CAN President Binay Raj Pandey gave away prizes to the winners. nepalnews.com Sep 28 08