Sudurpaschim Province joined Province 1 as Group ‘A’ runners up after a 28-run win over Bagmati Province in their last group match of the Prime Minister Cup Women’s National cricket tournament in Lamahi, Dang on Thursday.

The winners among them would have secured berths for the last four as both of them were tied on two points each before the last match. Sudurpaschim had the last say in the match reduced to 11 overs per side owing to fog.

Electing to bat first, Sudurpaschim posted 76-4 after a late blitz from Dolly Bhatta who came at number six and cracked unbeaten 28 runs.

Bhatta hit two boundaries and as many sixes in her 14-ball knock providing much needed stability to Sudurpaschim who were tottering at 3-20. Opener Kabita Kunwar remained not out at 19 runs facing 30 deliveries. Kabita Joshi contributed 12 runs.

Aarati Bidari was the most successful bowler for Bagmati removing three batters. She gave away 13 runs in her two-over bowling.

Bagmati were never up to the mark in the run chase, as seven batters failed to open the account and eventually wrapped up at 48-9. Though Suman Khatiwada tried to give some resistance to the innings scoring 27 runs, she never got support from the other end.

Kabita Joshi of Sudurpaschim, who was declared the player of the match, pocketed five wickets in her two-over bowling. She conceded 10 runs.

In another match, national team skipper Rubinna Chhetri’s Province 1 crushed helpless Gandaki Province by 140 runs. With the outcome, Province 1, already qualified for the semis, finished on top of Group ‘B’ with maximum six points.

Electing to bat first, Province 1 mustered 147-1 in the 20-over match and bowled out Gandaki Province for seven runs in eight overs. An unbeaten century partnership and half centuries each from opener Kajal Shrestha and Roma Thapa propelled Province 1 to a commanding total.

Shrestha smashed 52 off 57 that included four boundaries while Thapa cracked 51 off 49 including eight boundaries. Captain Chhetri hit 15 runs before she was caught by Shila Chhetri.

In the run chase, Kusum Godar and Soniya Thapa scored two runs each as all other batters were out for a duck. Province 1 bowler Sangita Rai grabbed five wickets and Sabnam Rai four wickets.

In the semi-finals on Saturday, Group ‘A’ winners Nepal APF Club will take on Group ‘B’ runners up Sudurpaschim Province while Group ‘B’ winners Province 1 will vie against Group ‘A’ runners up Lumbini Province.