Hosts Gandaki Province succumbed to their second straight defeat in the women’s Twenty20 cricket at the Ninth National Games while departmental giants Nepal APF Club made a winning start in Pokhara, Kaski, on Tuesday.

Gandaki, defeated by Madhesh Province in the tournament opener on Sunday, suffered a six-wicket loss at the hands of Sudurpaschim Province in their second match. Sent to bat first, Gandaki were restricted at a paltry total of 59-5 before Sudurpaschim raced to 60-4 in 10.2 overs for their first win after the second match. Gandaki, meanwhile, are yet to open accounts in the five-team group after the second game.

In the early kickoff, APF pulled off a four-wicket win over Bagmati Province. Invited to bat first, Bagmati were restricted at 89-7 and the departmental team made 91-6 in their run chase with five balls to spare in their first match of the campaign. It was the second defeat in a row for Bagmati.

Bagmati batters Suman Khatiwada and captain Asmina Karmacharya contributed 19 runs each with the latter remaining unbeaten. Khatiwada, trapped leg before by former national captain Nary Thapa, hit two fences in her 20-ball knock. Karmacharya remained not out facing 36 deliveries.

None other batters of Bagmati managed double digit figures though they were given extra 20 runs.

APF bowlers Rekha Rawal, Thapa and Indu Barma picked one wicket each.

In the run chase, APF middle-order batter Roma Thapa contributed 22 runs, the highest of the innings. Opener cum captain Sita Rana Magar and Thapa both hit 16 runs each with the latter remaining unbeaten. Mamta Chaudhary contributed 17 runs.

Roma hit a fence in her 35-ball knock before she was caught by Binda Katwal off Khatiwada. Rana Magar cracked two fences and a six in her quickfire 10-ball knock before she was hit by Karmacharya. Thapa hit a fence in her 18-ball knock and was also named the player-of-the-match.

Bagmati bowlers Sony Pakhrin and Suman Khatiwada both grabbed two wickets each. Pakhrin gave away 15 runs in her four-over spell and Khatiwada 14 runs in her 3.1 overs delivery.

In the late game, Ritu Kanouniya’s all-round show inspired Sudurpaschim to victory over Gandaki. She claimed two wickets with the ball and contributed 22 runs with the bat.

Shristi Jaisi was the only player for Gandaki to score in double digits contributing unbeaten 28 runs, the highest of the game. She hit a fence in her patient 48-ball knock.

Apart from Kanoujiya’s two-wicket haul, Anu Kadayat, Sneha Mahara and Sabitri Dhami took one wicket each.

In the run chase, Sneha Mahara contributed not out 21 runs off 27. She hit two fences. Kanoujiya played a 20-ball 22 comprising three boundaries before being run out.

Shila Chhetri of Gandaki pocketed two wickets while Jaisi took one wicket.

Province 1 will take on Nepal Police Club in the early fixture on Wednesday while Lumbini will vie against Karnali in the late kickoff.