Nepal Armed Police Force Club defeated Sudurpaschim Province by six wickets to claim the fourth Prime Minister Cup Women’s Twenty20 cricket tournament title on Wednesday.

In the final match at the covered hall ground, a star-studded APF team continued its domination in domestic cricket to restrict Sudurpaschim to just 71 runs in 20 overs after electing to field first. At a ground dampened by rain, APF reached the total in 15 overs for the loss of four wickets. Along with the title, APF collected a cash purse of Rs 500,000 and runners-up Sudurpaschim got Rs 300,000.

In chase of a mediocre total, openers Sita Rana Magar and Jyoti Pandey gave APF a desired start adding 43 runs for the first wicket. APF lost both the openers in a space of two runs but Indu Barma held firm leading her team to the title.

The national team middle order batswoman scored an 18-ball 22 with four hits to the fence.

Rana Magar made 18 off 28 with one boundary and Pandey’s 31-ball 17 included two hits to the fence. Janaki Bhatta took 2-17 from four overs for Sudurpaschim.

Earlier, Sudurpaschim didn’t have the best of the start losing three wickets for just 16 runs. Kabita Kunwar and Rubi Podar defied the APF attack with a 44-run fourth wicket partnership. But after women of the final Rana Magar removed both the set batswomen, the lower middle order failed to fire for Sudurpaschim.

Rana Magar and Karuna Bhandari took three wickets each for APF giving away just 14 runs in their collective five overs. Podar top scored in the match with a 45-ball 24 and Kunwar made a 35-ball 22. Both batswomen hit a boundary each. Rest of the Sudurpaschim batswoman failed to make runs in double figures.

Rana Magar was also adjudged the player-of-the-tournament and got Rs 30,000. Khushi Dangol of Region 3 was named the best bowler. She had returned unbelievable bowling figures of 5-0 against Karnali in the tournament opener. Kunwar, the emerging cricketer of the country, was named the best batswoman. Dangol and Kunwar got Rs 15,000 apiece. The tournament is an annual programme of the National Sports Council. All seven provinces and APF were the eight participating teams of the event.

Summary

Nepal Armed Police Force Club 74-4 in 15 overs (I Barma 22 not out, SR Magar 18, J Pandey 17; J Bhatta 2-17) beat Sudurpaschim Province 71-9 in 20 overs (R Podar 25, K Kunwar 22; SR Magar 3-5,

K Bhandari 3-9) by six wickets

Player-of-the-final: Sita Rana Magar (APF)

Player-of-the-series: Sita Rana Magar (APF)

Best Batswoman: Kabita Kunwar (Sudurpaschim)

Best Bowler: Khushi Dangol (Province 3)