Region No 8 (Pokhara) took on Region No 7 (Janakpur) as the Wai Wai U-19 National Cricket Tournament began here from Friday. Pokhara elected to bat first after winning the toss in the 50-over a side match. The nine-day tournament serves as selection event for the ACC U-19 Asia Cup to be held in the United Arab Emirates from December 26 to January 4.
The nine-day tournament will see the debut in age group cricket from the newly-recognised Region No 9 (Mahendranagar). Mahendrangar made their debut in the domestic cricket last month through the Pepsi Standard Chartered National Twenty20 Cricket Tournament.
Mahendrangar have been drawn in Group ‘A’ alongside Region No 1 (Biratnagar), Region No 2 (Birgunj), Region No 3 (Kathmandu) and Region No 6 (Baitadi). Biratanagar had won the previous edition held in Pokhara. Group ‘B’ consists of Region No 4 (Bhairahawa), Region No 5 (Nepalgunj), Region No 7 (Janakpur) and Region No 8 (Pokhara).
Along with Pulchowk, Sainik Awasiya Mahahvidhyalaya grounds of Bhaktapur and TU Stadium are sharing the maches. The top two finishers from each group will make it to the semi-finals.
