Departmental teams Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club and Nepal Police Club made winning starts in the Kathmandu Mayor’s Cup one-day cricket tournament that kicked off on Saturday.

Nepal Police Club (NPC) registered a dramatic two-run win over the national team skipper Gyanendra Malla-led Bagmati Province while APF edged arch-rival Tribhuvan Army Club by one wicket in a last over thriller.

In the low scoring affair at Mulpani grounds, electing to bat first Police were bowled out for 72 runs in 25.2 overs. In reply, Dipendra Singh claimed four wickets as they bundled out Bagmati Province for 70 runs in 27.2 overs at the match reduced to 38 overs per side due to a wet outfield.

Police made a shaky start to their innings and lost wickets at regular intervals. Opener Sunil Dhamala and middle order duo Anil Sah and Dilip Nath scored 10 runs each while captain Manjeet Shrestha, who contributed 15 runs, was the only player to collect runs in double digits.

Ariyo Paudel was the most successful bowler for Bagmati claiming four wickets in his four-over spell. He conceded seven runs and kept a maiden over. Nandan Yadav pocketed three wickets in his 6.2 overs.

In the run chase, Bagmati openers Gyanendra Malla contributed 22 runs and Adil Khan 10 runs as no other batsman managed to touch double digits. Bagmati seemed to be heading for an easy victory as they were 3-43 in 15.3 overs. But after the fall of skipper Malla, Bagmati batting order saw dramatic collapse, losing the remaining seven wickets for just 27 runs.

Police's Dipendra Singh Airee was the pick of bowlers claiming four wickets. The man-of-the-match gave away 24 runs in his eight over bowling with two maiden overs. Lalit Rajbashi grabbed three and Sagar Dhakal two wickets respectively.

In another match at the TU grounds in Kirtipur, put into bat first Army were bowled out for 235 in the allotted 50 overs. In the run chase, APF made 236-9 with two balls to spare.

Army's Rohit Paudel contributed the highest 56 runs while skipper Binod Bhandari made 42 runs. Openers Sompal Kami scored 28 runs and Lokesh Bam 30 runs as they shared a 61-run partnership for the first wicket before the former was dismissed. Bhim Sharki (18), Kushal Malla (11) and Rajesh Pulami (17 not out) were the other major contributors.

APF bowler Abinash Bohara claimed three wickets while Amar Routela and Bhuvan Karki pocketed two wickets each.

In the run chase, APF made a shaky start to their innings losing four wickets for 16 runs. But middle and lower middle order batsmen consolidated the innings. Shankar Rana came at number four and scored 33 runs while sixth number Sumit Maharjan contributed the highest 60 runs. Basanta Regmi played a crucial knock of 49 runs and Amar Toutela contributed 38 runs.

Army bowler Bikram Sob grabbed three wickets while Karan KC picked two wickets.

The tournament featuring five teams is being played in the round robin format. The top two finishers after the league round will vie for the title.