Wicketkeeper batter Aasif Sheikh slammed a century for Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club as they thrashed Karnali Province by 44 runs to secure the semi-final spot from Group A in the Prime Minister Cup One-Day National Cricket Tournament at the TU ground in Kirtipur on Saturday.

Opener Sheikh slammed 130 off 136 balls before APF were bowled out for 234 runs in 47.2 overs. Chasing the target, Karnali were all out for 190 runs in 48.1 overs despite a fighting knock of 80 from captain Rabindra Shahi, who came in to open the innings.

With their third win in four group matches, APF climbed to the top of the group table with seven points. Karnali, yet to open their score in the point table, crashed out of the tournament with two matches in hand.

Though APF lost wickets at regular intervals, the player-of-the-match Sheikh lifted the innings. Before falling as the last wicket for APF, Sheikh cracked 15 boundaries and a maximum. He was clean bowled in the 48th over by Prakash Jaishi.

Bhuvan Karki (23), opener Pradeep Airee (20), Lokesh Bam and Dipak Bohara (10 runs each) were the other APF players to make notable contributions with the bat.

Karnali bowlers Dipendra Rawat and Prakash Jaishi took three wickets each while Diwan Pun accounted for two. Rawat returned with figures of 10-1-28-3 and Jaisi 7.2-0-57-3.

In the run chase, Karnali captain Shahi hit five fours and two sixes in his 138-ball knock before he was bowled by Puran BK. Bipin Shahi was the other key contributor for Karnali scoring a 51-ball 34 that included five hits to the fence.

Arjun Gharti (27) and Dinesh Adhikari (20) were the other batters to score in double-digit figures for Karnali.

Spinner Mousom Dhakal was the pick of APF bowling claiming four wickets in his 10 over spell conceding 51 runs. Kamal Airee and Bhuvan Karki shared two wickets each.

Madhesh pull of second win

At the Mulpani ground, half centuries from captain Harishankar Shah, Santosh Karki and Anil Sah inspired Madhesh to a 92-run victory over Lumbini Province.

Madhesh, who are second in team standings with four points from two matches in Group B, will be assured of a semi-final berth if they beat the bottom placed Bagmati in their next outing on Monday. Police occupy the top spot with six points from three matches. They were also assured of a semi-final berth after the outcome. Lumbini are third with two points from three matches.

Captain Shah hit a 90-ball 76 and also shared a 130-run stand for the opening wicket with Karki, who contributed a 60-ball 50. Karki, the first Madhesh batter to be dismissed, hit five boundaries and three sixes before he was caught by Sunil Bhandari off a Dev Khanal delivery.

Shah, trapped leg before by Anil Kharel, smashed 13 boundaries and a six. Anil Sah scored a 49-ball 50, that included five hits to the fence and two sixes. He was trapped leg before by Krishna Karki. Bibek Yadav contributed 21 runs.

Lumbini’s Krishna Karki took three wickets while Anil Kharel accounted for two.

Lumbini had a troubled start as they lost their top-order batters cheaply, with 3-21 on the board. Bishal Bikram KC was the highest scorer for Lumbini, scoring a 51-ball 34 while Karki contributed a 52-ball 31. Sandeep Rajali (23) and Kharel (22) were the other major contributors for Lumbini.

Madhesh bowlers, Rajesh Yadav and Pradip Paswan, took three wickets each while captain Shah picked two.