Province 1 defeated Sudurpaschim Province by five wickets to cap their second straight win and book a place in the semi-finals of the Prime Minister Cup Women’s National twenty20 cricket tournament on Monday.

Electing to bat first, Sudurpaschim were restricted to 53-8 at the Lamahi Cricket Ground in the match reduced to 16 overs due to the heavy fog. Kabita Joshi was the only batter to score in double figures hitting 14 not out including a boundary. Province 1 bowlers ripped through Sudurpaschim batting, limiting them to 20-6, with skipper Rubina Chhetri removing opener Rubi Podder for two runs. The fall of wickets quickly followed as Kabita Kunwar (0) was trapped lbw by Sabnam Rai and another opener Rewati Dhami was run out for 8. Sangita Rai then took three scalps conceding only 10 runs in her four over spell bowling out Rita Kanoujiya (1), skipper Bindu Rawal (2) and Manju Bokati (0). Ngima Tamang also took one wicket for Province 1. Sudurpaschim got extra 11 runs.

In reply, Province 1 completed the run-chase in 15.1 overs for the loss of five wickets and led the group, after Tuesday’s 46-run victory over Bagmati Province. Skipper Chhetri hit a six in her 12-run contribution before she was caught by Kunwar, after opener Kajal Shrestha (1) was trapped lbw by Deepa Joora in the same over. None of the other batters was also able to reach double figures. Roma Thapa hit a boundary before she was run out for five, Apsari Begam (9) was bowled out by Kunwar and Lakita Rajbanshi (3) was removed by Joshi before Tamang not out (7) sealed the win with a four. Province 1 got extra 15 runs.

Nepal Armed Police Force Club and Lumbini Province have already secured their top four spots from Group ‘A’, while the last remaining place will be decided through the clash between Sudurpaschim and Bagmati provinces, with the latter bouncing back from Tuesday’s loss to beat Gandaki Province by 65 runs in Wednesday’s late match to keep their semi-finals hopes alive. Both Sudurpaschim and Bagmati have two points each after winning one game each from their two matches.

Electing to bat first, Bagmati posted an enormous target of 154 runs to Gandaki for the loss of four wickets. Openers Kanchan Shrestha and Binda Katwal shared a 76-run partnership anchoring their innings. Shrestha hit 27 off 29 balls including a boundary before she was run out by Seemana KC in the 10th over. Katwal top scored with 38 runs off 58 balls hitting three fours. She was caught by Anjali Bishwokarma in the 18th over. Suman Khatiwada hit 31 off 26 that included four boundaries. Alisha Lamichhane bagged two wickets for Gandaki. Bagmati got extra 39 runs.

In reply, Gandaki skipper Shila Chhetri lashed 26 runs including a boundary and Sristi Poudel hit 30 that included two fours. None of the other batters reached double figures as Gandaki managed 88-5 in the stipulated 20 overs. Asmina Karmacharya, Suman Khatiwada, Aarati Bidari and Nisha Tamang claimed one wicket each for Bagmati.