Opener Prashant Mahat scored a gritty half century to lead Province 3 into the semi-finals as Group ‘A’ winners handing his side a 29-run victory over Province 6 in the only match possible in the U-16 Cricket League on Saturday.

Two matches of the age group tournament were scheduled to be held at the Mulpani Cricket Ground with TU Stadium preparing for Matribhumi Cup — a fund raiser Twenty20 competition between Nepal ‘A’ and Nepal ‘B’ team. But following heavy rain in the morning, Saturday’s first U-16 match between Province 7 and Province 1 along with the Matribhumi Cup were postponed and Province 3 managed to get a game at the TU Stadium.

With three wins from maximum three matches Province 3 topped their pool and were followed by Province 4 who had four points. Following the wash out in Mulpani, Province 7 made it through as Group ‘B’ winners with three points from two games. Province 2 completed the semi-final line-up as runners-up.

Electing to bat first in a match reduced to 19-over-a-side, Mahat did more than 50 percent of the team’s scoring as Province 3 reached 145-4. Province 6, in reply were bundled out for 115 runs in exactly 19 overs following a collective bowling effort. No 8 batsman Sangam Giri top scored for Province 6 with a run-a-ball 19 hitting two boundaries.

Pernav Bedhal (18) and Sandip Jung Shahi (17) were other notable scorers for Province 6. Tilak Bhandari took 3-27 for Province 3 with Bibek Darai and Deepak Bohora also taking two scalps apiece.

Earlier, Mahat did the majority of scoring for Province 3 laying foundation for a big total with a 63-run opening wicket partnership with Deepak Bohora. Province 3 lost two wickets in a space of one run beginning with the wicket of Bohora but Mahat held firm.

Mahat notched up 40 runs for the third wicket with Ashok Poudel (20) and 41 for the fourth with Aaish Bhattarai (10 not out) before falling in the last ball of the innings. Mahat made 74 off 63 with 11 boundaries.

Bohora chipped in 30 off 26 with three boundaries. Rajkumar Shah, Yubraj Khatri and Suraj Budhathoki took a wicket each for Province 6. Both the semi-finals are scheduled for Sunday with Province 3 taking on Province 2 in the first match.