Nepal Police Club registered a thumping 118-run win over Province 1 to enter semi-final with second victory in the women’s Twenty20 cricket at the Ninth National Games while Lumbini pulled off their first win of the campaign after the second match in Pokhara, Kaski, on Wednesday.

Samjhana Khadka cracked a half century for the departmental team. Sent to bat first, they posted a challenging total of 158-3 before restricting Province 1 at 40-8.

In the late fixture, Lumbini stormed to a 104-run win over Karnali Province to pull off their first win after the second match and send the latter crashing out following their second defeat in a row. Lumbini posted 127-6 before bowling out Karnali for 23 runs in 8.3 overs.

The second victory lifted Police to the top of Group ‘B’ with four points and also assured them at least top two finish in the four team group while Province 1 are third with one point after equal two matches.

Lumbini are second with three points in the group while Karnali are yet to open accounts and are languishing at the bottom of the table. Only the top two teams at the completion of league rounds will progress to the semi-final.

Police batters Khadka and Kabita Kunwar put up a 77-run stand for the second wicket against Province 1, creating the base for the huge total. Player-of-the-match Khadka cracked 60 off 43 that included 10 boundaries before she got run out as third wicket.

Kunwar contributed 38-ball 37 that included three fences and a six before she ran out as second wicket. Apsari Begam was not out on 21 runs while captain Rubina Chhetry remained unbeaten on 16 runs.

Province 1 bowler Nisha Shah claimed one wicket.

In the run chase, Province 1 opener Lakita Rajbanshi and captain Sanu Rajbanshi were the only batters to touch double digit figures scoring 11 runs apiece.

Hiranmayee Roy was the pick of Police bowling claiming three wickets. She gave away six runs with a maiden over in her three-over spell. Sabnam Rai, Kabita Kunwar and Kabita Joshi picked one wicket each.

In the late fixture, Lumbini opener Laxmi Chaudhary contributed 31 runs, the highest score of the match against Karnali. Trapped leg before by Anju Gurung, Chaudhary hit three fences in her 38-ball knock.

Saraswati Ganga Magar was another remarkable scorer for Lumbini scoring 30 off 52. Sushma Bajgai and Madhu DC contributed 12 runs each with the latter remaining unbeaten.

Karnali bowler Gurung pocketed two wickets in her four-over spell conceding 20 runs.

Karnali were never off the mark in the run chase and were dismissed for just 23 runs in 8.3 overs. Four batters of Karnali failed to open their account while opener Kiran Kunwar’s five-run was the highest score for the team.

Madhu DC was the highest wicket taker for Lumbini with four wicket haul. She gave away 11 runs in her four-over spell. Kritika Marasini picked two.

APF is scheduled to play against Gandaki and Madhesh will lock horns against Sudurpaschim on Thursday.