Cricket
Baskota’s batting lifts Bagmati in PM Cup as Province 1 bow out with victory
Nepal Armed Police Force Club will take on Karnali Province on Saturday at the TU grounds while Lumbini will vie against Sudurpaschim.Sports Bureau
Prithu Baskota continued with his impressive batting form for Bagmati Province as they edged Province 2 by six wickets to maintain cent percent winning streak in the Prime Minister Cup National one-day cricket tournament at the Mulpani grounds on Friday.
Baskota, who played a key role in their first two wins scoring 84 runs against Sudurpaschim and unbeaten 48 runs against Nepal Police Club in the first two matches, contributed an unbeaten 53 runs against Province 2 on Friday. The highest scorer of the match Baskota's 75-ball knock included one six and four boundaries.
With the outcome, Bagmati climbed on top of the Group 'B' standings with maximum six points from three matches and inched closer to semi-final berths. They could finish on top of the group and qualify for semi-finals as group winners if they beat Lumbini on Sunday. Province 2 are second from bottom without scoring points at their account after two matches.
Electing to bat first, Province 2 scored 179 runs in 48.2 overs. In the run chase, Bagmati made 181-4 in 48.2 overs.
Province 2 made poor start to their innings and were restricted to 5-39 despite opener Sudhir Chaudhary contributing 15 runs. Number eight batsman Bibek Yadav contributed the highest 66 runs off 74 deliveries. Kumar Thapa and Rahul Pratap Singh who scored 22 and 18 runs respectively were the other batsmen to touch double figures for Province 2.
Gautam KC of Bagmati claimed four wickets in his 10-over spell. He gave away 29 runs with a maiden over. Ramnaresh Giri pocketed two wickets.
In the run chase, Aakash Thapa (32 runs) and Bibhatsu Thapa (47 runs) were the major contributors for Bagmati apart from Baskota. Thapa was trapped leg before by Kumar Thapa. Bibhatsu hit three boundaries in his 93-ball knock before he was bowled out by Harishankar Shah. Ishan Pandey was the other player to score in double digits contributing 15 runs.
Harishankar of Province 2 pocketed two wickets in his 10 over spell. He conceded 36 runs.
Province 1 sign off with victory
Province 1 edged Karnali Province by 59 runs in the Group 'A' match to bid adieu to the Prime Minister Cup with consolation win at the TU grounds in Kirtipur.
Batting first, Province 1 scored 215-9 in the allotted 50 overs before bowling out Karnali for 156 runs in 35 overs.
The result meant Province 1 finished fourth in the five-team Group 'A' and crashed out of the contest along with bottom placed Gandaki Province after playing four matches each. Despite having equal two points, Gandaki Province 2 finished fourth on the basis of better net run rate. Karnali are third with two points in their account and have played only three matches.
Province 1 skipper and middle order batsman Siddhant Lohani contributed highest 66 off 97. He hit nine boundaries in his 97-ball knock. Opener Sarwan Yadav (17), Shuvankar Urao (36), Minash Thapa (25) and Firdosh Ansari (17) were the other major contributors for Province 1.
Karnali bowlers Ranindra Shahi claimed three wickets while Dinesh Adhikari and Anuj Chunara grabbed two wickets apiece.
Karnali made a sound start to their run chase with openers Rabindra Shahi and Bipin Rawal playing 63 runs partnership for the first wickets. Shahi scored 18 off 32 and Rawal played a quickfire 47 off 34. The number three batsman Nischal Rawal contributed 31 as Karnali seemed to be heading to their second victory with 118-4 on board. But they lost the remaining six batsmen cheaply for 38 runs.
Province 1 bowler Minas Thapa claimed five wickets in his 10-over spell. He gave away 26 runs with two maiden overs. Dipesh Kandel claimed three wickets while Manoj Tamang grabbed two.
Nepal Armed Police Force Club will take on Karnali Province on Saturday at the TU grounds while Lumbini will vie against Sudurpaschim.