Tribhuvan Army Club advanced to the semi-final as Group A runners up with a crushing 140-run victory over Karnali Province on Tuesday. The win set up the last four clash against Nepal Police Club in the Prime Minister Cup One-Day National Cricket Tournament at the Mulpani ground.

At the TU ground, Nepal Police Club crushed Madhesh Province by 191 runs in the last match of Group B. The outcome meant that Police maintained their undefeated streak while Madhesh finished runners up with five points from four matches.

Madhesh will now meet Group A winners, Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club in the semi-final clash of the tournament that sends top two teams from either of the groups into the last four. Both the semi-finals will be played on Thursday.

Sent in to bat first, at Mulpani, Army posted 254-6 after moderate contributions from all eight batters before they bowled out Karnali for 114 runs in 28.3 overs.

Army captain Binod Bhandari scored 37 not out off 28 balls, the highest of the innings. Kushal Malla and Rohit Paudel, both contributed 35 runs. Hari Gauchan (31), Bhim Sharki (29), Rajesh Pulami (not out 28), openers Arjun Saud (20) and Anil Mandal (17) contributed for the Army.

Karnali bowler, Prakash Jaishi, took three wickets in his 10-over spell, conceding 63 runs, while Dipendra Rawat accounted for two wickets that fell.

In Karnali’s run chase, opener Bipin Rawal scored a 63-ball 48 before he was caught and bowled by Rohit Paudel. Arjun Gharti (17), Prakash Jaishi (11) and Sandip Shahi (not out 11), were the only other players to manage a double-digit score.

Army’s Rohit Paudel was the pick of bowling, claiming three wickets in his four-over spell, conceding 15 runs. He was named the player-of-the-match for his all-round show. Shahab Alam and Hari Chauhan accounted for two wickets each.

Police top Group B

In another match, electing to bat first, Police batters Amit Shrestha, Aarif Sheik and captain Dipendra Singh Airee all scored half centuries as they scored 273 runs in 49.1 overs. The departmental team’s opener, Kushal Bhurtel, shone in the bowling department, claiming five wickets as they bowled out Madhesh for 82 runs in 29.3 overs.

Sheikh hit 73 off 86 balls, while Shrestha contributed 65 off 96 and Airee 51 off 43. Wicketkeeper-batter Dilip Nath also made a notable contribution, scoring a 31-ball 40.

Madhesh bowlers Rajesh Yadav and Rupesh Singh clinched two wickets each, while Mohammad Aadil Alam accounted for two.

Chasing the target, Alam hit a 76-ball 42 for Madhesh who lost their wickets cheaply. Captain Harishankar Shah (10) and Ratan Raunak (11) were the only other batsmen to get to double-digit figures.

Part time bowler Bhurtel of Police conceded 22 runs in an 8.3 overs spell, with two maiden overs. The right arm medium pacer was declared the player-of-the-match. Karan KC picked up three wickets, while Rashid Khan accounted for two.