Opener Sagar Pun scored an unbeaten 46 as Non-Resident Nepali Association Sports Academy (NRNA) beat Sudurpaschim Province by 12 runs in men’s T20 cricket at the Ninth National Games on Friday.

In a delayed match reduced to six overs aside due to rain at the TU Cricket Ground, Pun cracked three fours and three sixes in his 19-ball knock and shared a 48-run stand with captain Sunam Gautam, who chipped in 24, for the first wicket.

Pun’s opening partner Dinesh Kharel, Bashu Giri and Diwash Giri were all out for nought.

Hemant Dhami and Sher Malla took two wickets each for Sudurpaschim.

In reply, Sudurpaschim were bundled out for 62 after Ashish Pokharel and Deepak Chhetry wrecked their batting order picking three scalps each.

Opener Khadak Bohara top scored for Sudurpaschim hitting 12 runs facing 10 deliveries. Raju Rijal and Basant Khatri were the other batters who scored in double digit figures contributing 11 and 10 runs respectively.

Bagmati Province and Province 1, who were also scheduled to open their campaign in Kirtipur, shared a point each after their match was washed out by rain.

The matches between Madhesh Province and Gandaki Province; and Lumbini Province and Karnali Province were also abandoned at Mulpani Cricket Ground due to rain.

NRNA will look to extend their winning streak when they face APF Club at TU ground on Friday morning. Sudurpaschim take on Bagmati later that day in Kirtipur.

At Mulpani, Nepal Police Club meet Madhesh and Tribhuvan Army Club lock horns with Karnali Province in the other fixtures of the day.

The men’s cricket is taking place a month before the National Games officially begins due to clash of schedule with Nepal T20 League, which will take place from September 24 to October 20.

The National Games are scheduled for October 14 and 20.

Two more teams of Nepal T20 unveiled

KATHMANDU: Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) unveiled two new outfits of the Nepal T20, country’s first ever official franchise cricket tournament, on Thursday. Pokhara Avengers and Far-western United have been revealed as the remaining two teams of the six-team league that will take place from September 24 to October 20 this year. The cricket governing body of the country has already announced Janakpur Royals, Kantipur Capitals, Lumbini All Star and Biratnagar Super Kings as the other teams of the league in June. CAN has selected Indian company Seven3Sports as its strategic and commercial partner to hold the event. (SB)