Diwan Pun delivered an all-round performance as Mid-West University won the title of the Jay Nepal Cup South Asian University T20 cricket tournament, defeating Lucknow University of India by 58 runs in the final at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Tuesday.

Opting to bat first, Mid-West posted a competitive total of 175-6 from 20 overs, courtesy of scintillating half-centuries from Pun and Bipin Khatri.

Mid-West started their innings on a shaky ground, with the team struggling at 38-4 in 7.4 overs after the dismissals of Rabindra Jung Shahi (7), Nichal Rawal (19), Deepak Prasad Dumre (3) and Bipin Rawal (2).

But Pun and Khatri rescued the innings from a precarious position.

Pun scored 58 runs off 36 balls, while Khatri smashed an unbeaten 59 off 28 balls to anchor Mid-West innings, with their partnership also featuring a crucial 72 run-stand for the sixth wicket.

Pun hit six boundaries and two sixes, while Khatri’s knock featured five fours and four sixes.

Abhishek Soni, Manan Kandpal and Harsh Vardhan Singh picked a wicket each for Lucknow.

In response, opener Kandpal scored a fifty but the rest of their batting order crumbled dramatically, eventually being restricted to 117-9.

Kandpal hit a gritty 58 off 57 balls, but without any significant support from the other end of the wicket, the chase fizzled out.

Vardhan Singh’s 15 off 11 was the second highest score in a lacklustre effort.

Pun led the Mid-West bowling attack taking 3-22 in four overs, while Raj Kumar Shah returned match figures of 2-21 from his three overs. Dinesh Adhikari, Subash Bhandari and Jung Shahi chipped in a wicket apiece.

Champions Mid-West won a cash prize of Rs1.5 million, while runners-up Lucknow walked home with Rs1 million.

Mid-West’s Khatri won the player of the tournament and the best bowler awards.

Tribhuvan University’s Lokesh Bam was adjudged best batter of the tournament.