Departmental giants Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club and Madhesh Province both registered second wins in a row on Thursday in women’s Twenty20 cricket at the Ninth National Games to strengthen their bid for semi-final in Pokhara, Kaski.

APF eased to a thumping nine-wicket win over hosts Gandaki Province and inflicted on them a third defeat from as many matches played. Madhesh registered a 15-run win over Sudurpaschim Province to climb second replacing the latter to third.

APF and Madhesh are on top two positions with four points each from two matches but the departmental team occupy top position by virtue of better run rate. Sudurpaschim are third with two points from three matches while Gandaki are languishing pointless at the bottom of five-team table after three matches.

In the early fixture, Gandaki’s decision to bat first against star-studded APF proved to be fatal as they were bowled out for a paltry total of 26 runs in 18.2 overs. Four batters of hosts Gandaki were dismissed for a duck and captain Shristi Jaisi’s five runs turned out to be the highest individual score for the home team.

APF’s Indu Barma claimed two wickets while Suman Bist, Nary Thapa, Nisha Bhatt and Sita Rana Magar picked one wicket each.

Chasing the target, APF made 27-1, facing just 14 deliveries. APF opener Jyoti Pandey was dismissed for two runs with three runs on board. But captain Rana Magar and Barma remained unbeaten on 12 runs and nine runs to guide the departmental team to a comfortable victory. Rana Magar hit two fences in her five-ball knock. Player-of-the-match Barma also hit two boundaries in her three-ball innings.

Gandaki bowler Jaisi claimed the APF’s only wicket.

In the late fixture, batting first, Madhesh made 91-9 and restricted Sudurpaschim at 76-5 to emerge victorious. Madhesh opener Sana Praveen played an influential role for the team, scoring 35 runs.

Praveen hit three fences in her 49-ball knock before she was caught by wicketkeeper Rubi Poddar off Sabitri Dhami. Alisha Yadav was the other Madhesh batter to touch double digit figures scoring 10 runs. Captain Kabita Gautam remained unbeaten on nine runs for Madhesh, who also got extra 25 runs.

Dhami was the pick of Sudurpaschim bowling claiming four wickets in her four-over bowling giving away 18 runs.

In the run chase, opener Ritu Kanoujiya scored 27 off 38, the highest of the innings, that included two fences. Apart from her, Poddar and Yasoda Bist were the other players of Sudurpaschim to touch double digit figures. Poddar scored 12 off 37 while Bist remained not out on 11 runs facing nine deliveries.

Madhesh bowler Santoshi Chaudhary, Shanti Chaudhary and Anuradha Chaudhary grabbed two wickets each.

Nepal Police Club will take on Lumbini Province and Karnali will vie against Province 1 on Friday’s fixtures.

Army claim fourth fencing gold

Tribhuvan Army Club on Thursday claimed fourth fencing gold in senior men’s sabre at badminton covered hall in Pokhara.

The Army team, comprising Raghu Bahadur Chand, Upendra Shahi, Manish Thapa and Nur Thapa Magar, edged Bagmati Province 54-24 in the decisive clash. Saswat Pariyar, Amir Rayamajhi, Swayab Shrestha and Payas Yonjan represented Bagmati. APF and Gandaki walked away with bronze medals.

Of 11 golds decided so far out of 12 on offer, Bagmati and Army have secured four each, APF two and Sudurpaschim one.

NRNA, Bagmati off to winning starts in football

Non Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) and Bagmati Province made winning starts to their football campaign at the Ninth National Games.

NRNA saw off Province 1 and Bagmati defeated Madhesh Province, both with identical 2-0 scores. Sanjog Rai and Bimal Gharti Magar scored one each in either half for NRNA’s win over Province 1.

Bagmati scored two late goals in their win over Madhesh. Nepal international Sunil Bal scored six minutes from time before Anjan Bista sealed the victory in the fading moments from the spot.

The game, however, was not free from controversy as NRNA fielded Nepali internationals including Gharti Magar, Bishal Rai, Sujal Shreshta, and Ananta Tamang, among others. Province 1 and other teams had protested against the move before the kickoff of the match.

According to Province 1 team manager Prakash Malla, they will write an official protest letter against the NRNA team for fielding ineligible players.

Vice President to inaugurate Games

Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun will officially inaugurate the Ninth National Games in Pokhara on Friday, according to National Sports Council member secretary Tanka Lal Ghising.

“President Bidya Devi Bhandari was scheduled to open the game, but she could not attend the opening ceremony due to her health condition. We have invited vice president Nanda Bahadur Pun for the opening and he has already arrived in Pokhara on Thursday,” Ghising said.

The National Games will see participation of 6,157 athletes from 36 games that will be officially held from October 14 to 20. Altogether 11 teams—seven provinces, three departmental and NRNA—will compete for 404 gold medals.