Dashrath Chand Academy from Baitadi has secured its first win in the Arjun Trophy National T20 Cricket Tournament. Baitadi defeated the Cricket Excellence Centre Kathmandu by 16 runs.
Baitadi set a target of 161 runs, and Kathmandu, chasing the target, was bowled out for 144 runs in 19.4 overs. Raj Shah top-scored for Kathmandu with an unbeaten 37 runs, while Deependra Rawat contributed 32 runs. For Baitadi, Salahuddin Khan claimed 5 wickets, and Diwan Pun took 3 wickets.
Earlier, Baitadi won the toss and chose to bat at the Fapla Cricket Ground in Dhangadhi. They scored 160 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs. Diwan Pun was the top scorer for Baitadi with 43 runs, while Basant Khatri added 32, and Amar Rautela remained unbeaten on 29. For Kathmandu, Deependra Rawat and Surya Tamang both took 2 wickets each.
With this victory, Baitadi has 2 points from 3 matches and is in third place in Group B. Kathmandu, also with 2 points, is in the last position in the same group. The final game of the group stage will decide which teams advance to the semifinals.
Meanwhile, in Group A, Friends Youth Club from Dadeldhura and Ghodeghodi-11 from Sukhkhad are currently playing. Both Dadeldhura and DCA Dhangadhi have already secured their places in the semifinals from Group A.
The winner of the tournament will receive a prize of 1 million rupees, while the runner-up will get 500,000 rupees. The competition will continue until Monday, 28th Magh.
