Nepal Police Club, on Thursday, advanced to the semi-finals of the Prime Minister Cup National One-Day Cricket Tournament after they defeated Lumbini Province by six wickets at the TU cricket ground, thanks to an all-round display by captain Dipendra Singh Airee.

Airee took 4-55 to restrict Lumbini to 188 in 44.2 overs after they were sent in to bat first. The right-handed middle-order batter then smashed an unbeaten 43 to guide the departmental team to 192-4 in 37.1 overs.

The win cemented Police’s position at the top of Group B with six points after three wins in as many matches and secured them a spot in the semi-finals.

The top two sides from each group qualify for the last four.

In another match played at the Mulpani cricket ground, Madhesh revived their PM Cup hopes with a 72-run win over Province 1.

Lumbini have also played a match more than Madhesh, meaning their hopes of qualifying for the last four hang in the balance.

At the TU Cricket Ground, Lumbini succumbed to their first defeat despite skipper Dev Khanal scoring a valiant 74.

Lumbini had a terrible start to their innings after Karan KC had opener Aakash Tripathi caught behind for a duck on the fifth delivery of the first over.

But Tripathi’s opening mate, Khanal, held his nerve and led the charge, hitting seven fours and two sixes in his 88-ball knock, which included a 59-run stand with Prajjwol Thapa.

Thapa was trapped leg before wicket by Sagar Dhakal.

Airee then removed Sandeep Rijali for 7, before Gulsan Jha took the prized wicket of Khanal on the second delivery of the 34th over.

Bishal Bikram KC then tried to steady the innings with a 38-ball 30. But, after the fall of Khanal, Lumbini never recovered as they lost four wickets for just 14 runs with Airee claiming three wickets.

Lalit Rajbanshi stopped any further progress removing Bikram KC, caught by Airee.

Durgesh Gupta and Mohammad Husen scored 11 runs each to drag Lumbini to 188.

In the chase, openers Sunil Dhamala played a quick-fire knock of 36 and Kushal Bhurtel scored 32, facing 41 deliveries, to give the Police a good start.

Lumbini pacer Durgesh Gupta broke their 55-run stand for the first wicket, bowling Dhamala on the final delivery of the sixth over.

Amit Shrestha then added 28 runs before Anil Kharel trapped him lbw in the 16th over. Bhurtel departed next, caught by Lumbini wicketkeeper Thapa. At the time, Police were already at 114-3.

Airee continued his good form, putting on a 66-run stand with Aarif Sheikh, who made 35, to lead Police to victory.

In the match played at Mulpani, sent in to bat first, Madhesh scored 214 runs in 48.1 overs on the back of a half century by wicketkeeper Anil Sah and then bowled out Province 1 for 142 runs in 43.1 overs.

Though Madhesh made a shaky start to their innings, Sah scored 61 runs off 80 balls comprising five fours and a six. Sah shared a 68-run stand for the fourth wicket with Rohan BK, who contributed a 49-ball 28. Sah was trapped leg before by Province 1 captain Siddhant Lohani.

Bibek Yada (32), Rupesh Singh (30) and captain Harishankar Shah (15) contributed for Madhesh.

Province 1 bowler Firdosh Ansari grabbed five wickets in his 9.1 over bowling spell, conceding 34 runs. Lohani grabbed three wickets.

Chasing the target, Province 1 lost wickets at regular intervals. Luv Kamat was the highest scorer for the team, scoring a 94-ball 29 while Bibek Anand Mehta contributed a 47-ball 25. Firdosh Ansari (22), Minash Thapa (12), Firdosh Ansari (11), Dipak Joshi (not out 11) and Sonu Ansari (10) were the other batters to get to double digit figures.

Madhesh bowlers Mohammad Aadil Alam, Rupesh Singh, Pradip Paswan and Bishal Shusling shared two wickets each.