Sudurpaschim and Province 2 advanced to the semi-finals of the Manmohan Memorial Inter-Province U-16 National cricket tournament on Sunday.

Skipper Suwash Ayer led Sudurpaschim to a convincing eight-wicket win over Province 3 while Province 2 saw off Province 5 by 16 runs in Sunday matches held at the Tribhuvan University Stadium. Despite the defeat, Province 3 also entered the last-four as Group ‘A’ runners-up. Sudurpaschim topped the group.

Electing to bat first, Province 3 were bowled out for 131 in 27.5 overs and Sudurpaschim overcame the total for the loss of two wickets in 26.2 overs. Province 3 were reeling at 41-5 before Krish Karki and Samrat Bhusal batted  sensibly to put a respectable total on the board. Karki top scored with a fluent 46, his 44-ball knock included six boundaries and a six. Bhusal scored 27 off 56 balls but more importantly gave a good  support to Karki. Sandesh Bhatta and Ashish Bhatta claimed three wickets each  for Sudurpaschim.

In reply Ayer and Arun Mahara virtually sealed victory for Sudurpaschim with an 81-run opening wicket stand. Mahara was dismissed for 36 but Ayer remained unbeaten on 61. Man-of-the-match Ayer struck four boundaries and a six  in his 64-ball innings. Sandesh Bhatta scored 15 not out. Tilak Bhandari and Deepak Bohara took one wicket each for Province 3.

Earlier in the first match of the day, Province 2 scored a below par 114 in 27.5 overs but defended the total by restricting Province 5 for 98 runs in 27.4 overs. The result meant Province 2 joined Province 1 in the semi-finals as Group ‘B’ winners.

Province 2 were precariously placed at 30-7 before Prasant Singh and B Patel put on an 82-run eighth wicket partnership to propel the team’s total. Singh scored an unbeaten 40 off 38 ball with three fours and a six, while Singh  made a patient 39 from 57 deliveries. Parsuram Yadav (14) was the only other Province 2 batsman to score runs in double figures. Abhishek Gautam claimed  four, Bishal Bikram KC took three and Ramesh Kurmi snared two wickets for  Province 5.

In reply, opener Bishal Bikram KC top scored for Province 5 with a battling 20 off 51 balls and Sandesh Pandey chipped in 23-ball 22. Gautam also made 17 and  Sushant Thapa 13 but none were able to stand out to cross the finishing line. Arabaj Ansari took two, while Bayesh Yadav, Nikhil Singh, Fate Shiddique and Prashant Singh claimed one wicket each for Province 2.

Sudurpaschim will take on Province 1 while Province 2 will be up against Province 3 in the semi-finals on Monday.