Lumbini Province made a dream start in the Prime Minister Cup One-Day National Cricket Tournament with an eight-wicket win over Bagmati Province on Wednesday.

In the day’s other match, Gandaki Province defeated Karnali Province by 32 runs to maintain their unbeaten run in Group A.

At the Mulpani Cricket Ground, spinner Anil Kharel took 4-30 that also included three maiden overs as Lumbini, sent in to field first after losing the toss, restricted Bagmati to 154 all out in 38.1 overs.

In the chase, captain Dev Khanal scored an unbeaten 77 to help Lumbini comfortably reach their target in 35.4 overs.

Bagmati made a slow start to their innings with opener Rit Gautam and Ishan Pandey departing cheaply for 6 and a duck, respectively.

Gautam’s opening partner Ashutosh Ghiraiya contributed 22 before falling to the lethal spin of Kharel in the 12th over.

Skipper Gyanendra Malla tried to steady the ship, but Kharel struck again, sending Prithu Baskota back for a duck.

The former national cricket team captain, who top scored with 33 facing 46 deliveries, followed next, after Kharel caught him off the bowling of Avishek Gautam. Kharel then removed Nandan Yadav for 1 to cause more damage and trapped Durgesh Thapa lbw, for 32, off the first delivery of the 35th over.

Surya Tamang chipped in with 17 before he was bowled by Bishal Bikram KC. KC, who returned with figures of 2-5 in an economical, 3.1-over bowling spell, also claimed the wicket of Rijan Dhakal.

In reply, Lumbini were in trouble early after opener Aakash Tripathi fell for just 3 runs.

But Khanal held his nerve to score a 119-ball 77—that included eight boundaries and two sixes—and put on an 80-run stand with Prajjwol Thapa (29). He, then had a 69-run partnership with Sandeep Rijali, who made 29 not out, to guide Lumbini to their 155-2 total.

Bagmati have now lost three consecutive matches, meaning they have bowed out of the semi-final contention

Police top the four-team Group B with four points after two wins in as many matches.

At the TU Cricket Ground, Gandaki continued their winning run in Group A with a second straight victory.

Put in to bat first after losing the toss, Avishek Basnet smashed a half century and opener Arjun Kumal and Bidhan Shrestha scored 49 and 46 runs, respectively as Gandaki posted 208-9 in their stipulated 50 overs.

Anuj Chanara was the pick of the Karnali bowling with 4-51 while Prakash Jaisi took 3-37. None of the other Gandaki batters could contribute much, with only Subash Bhandari (14), reaching the double-digit figures.

In reply, Karnali were skittled out for 176 in 47 overs, despite Himanshu Shahi cracking an unbeaten 69.

Opener captain Rabindra Shahi made 42, that also included a 62-run partnership with Shahi, but Karnali kept losing wickets at regular intervals to suffer a bad start to their campaign.

The win also puts Karnali level with leaders APF Club on four points and a pole position to advance to the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Tribhuvan Army Club and Sudurpaschim Province are yet to register a victory in the tournament.