Nepal Armed Police Force Club (APF) clinched the Lalitpur Mayor’s Cup Women’s T20 Cricket Tournament for the third time in a row defeating national captain Rubina Chhetry-led Koshi Province by 54 runs in the final on Thursday.

Sent to bat first at the TU Cricket Ground, captain Sita Rana Magar and Indu Barma slammed unbeaten half centuries as the departmental giants posted a challenging total of 154-4 before restricting Koshi at 100-6.

After losing opener Jyoti Pandey for two runs, Rana Magar and Barma shared an unconquered 136-run partnership for the second wicket. Rana Magar, named player-of-the-match for the fourth time in the fifth match of the tournament, smashed 79 runs in her 68-ball knock studded with nine hits to fences and two sixes.

Barma played a quick-fire 51 off 41 balls that included five boundaries and a six.

Koshi Province’s Alisha Khadiya picked the only wicket after she trapped opener Jyoti Pandey leg before.

Chasing the target, Koshi’s opener-cum-captain Rubina Chhetry contributed 35 runs off 41, the highest of the innings. She cracked four fours before she was bowled out by Binu Budha Magar. Her opening partner Kajal Shrestha was dismissed on six runs.

Lakita Rajbanshi was the second highest scorer for Koshi; she played ball-a-run 21 which included two boundaries and remained unbeaten. Apsari Begam was the other Koshi player to manage double digit figures, contributing 10 runs off 24. She was also bowled out by Budha Magar.

Rekha Rawal, Sonu Khadka and Nary Thapa shared one wicket each.

APF had defeated Sudurpaschim Province in the final of previous two editions.

Apart from winning the player-of-the-match award, APF captain Rana Magar was also named the player-of-the-series. She scored 214 runs in five matches and also claimed eight wickets. She bagged a purse of Rs30,000 for the player-of-the-series award. She also received Rs5000 for being adjudged the player-of-the-match.

Koshi captain Chhetry was declared the best batter for scoring 139 runs. Her teammate Nisha Shah was awarded the best bowler award for her six wicket haul. They walked away with a purse of Rs15,000 each.