Harishankar Shah and Mayan Yadav scored half-centuries as Madhesh Province defeated Karnali Province by 61 runs to stay in contention for top two spot at the Prime Minister Cup Men’s National Cricket Tournament in Kirtipur on Saturday.

Madhesh’s innings was by and large built in the 85-run opening partnership between Shah and Anil Sah, who was another top performer for Madhesh with 44 runs off 44 balls.

Shah scored 50 runs off 61 balls and Mayan made 50 off 88 balls.

Their opening stand was broken by Karnali’s stand-out bowler Dipendra Rawat, who took 4-39 that also included the wickets of Shah and Sah.

Rawat struck again removing Pawan Sarraf (11) and Niraj Yadav (0) before Rahul Mandal (10) and Rupesh Singh (3) were also sent back.

But Mayan led the battle putting on a 41-run stand with Abhishek Tiwari for the seventh wicket to guide Madhesh to 231-9 in the allotted 50 overs.

Tiwari made 34 runs off 37 balls. Both Mayan and Tiwari were dismissed by Anju Chanara (2-30).

In the run chase, Karnali were sent in field first. Opener Rabindra Shahi (1) and Himanshu Shahi (2) of the team departed cheaply, credit to early strike by Rajesh Yadav.

Rabindra’s opening partner Bipin Shahi (31) and half-centurian Arjun Gharti (58 off 108 balls) steadied the ship with a 44-run stand for the third wicket.

After Bipin fell to Ranjit Kumar in the 13th over, Karnali lost their wickets at regular intervals, losing Nischal Rawal (4), Rawat (5), Prakash Jaishi (14), Unish Singh (0).

A late fightback from Gharti and Dinesh Adhikari (33) gave Karnali some hopes of a successful chase, with the pair putting on a 61-run stand for the eighth wicket.

But Rajesh got rid of Adhikari in the 40th over and Tiwari dismissed Gharti next over to restrict Karnali to 170 all out.

The win helped Madhesh climb to third position in the standings, level on six points with leaders Sudurpaschim Province and second-placed Bagmati Province. But the rival Sudurpaschim have two games in hand.

Karnali stay in the seventh position with four points. Undefeated Police are fourth with four points but have three matches in hand. Tribhuvan Army Club and Armed Police Force Club also have four points and sit above Karnali due to run rate.

Lumbini are eighth after registering only one win from three games. Gandaki, who are also winless after three matches, are ninth.

Koshi stay at the bottom losing all their five matches.

PM Cup Men’s Cricket

Scoreboard

Kirtipur/TOSS: Madhesh, bat first.

Madhesh 231-9 (50/50 overs)

Harishankar Shah 50 (61), Mayan Yadav 50 (88), Anil Sah 44 (44); Dipendra Rawat 10-1-39-4

Karnali 170-10 (41.1/50 overs)

Arjun Gharti 58 (105), Dinesh Adhikari 33 (33); Rajesh Yadav 6-0-27-3

Madhesh win by 61 runs.

Player of the match: Harishankar Shah

Playing Sunday

Police vs Army

Venue: Siddharthanagar @ 9:00 NST

Gandaki vs Koshi

Venue: Mulpani @ 9:15 NST

Table

Standings

TEAMP W L T N/R PT NRR

Sudurpaschim 3 3 0 6 2.292

Bagmati 5 3 2 6 0.356

Madhesh 5 3 2 6 -0.064

Police2 2 0 4 2.364

Army 3 2 1 4 1.798

APF 3 2 1 4 1.545

Karnali 4 2 2 4 -0.475

Lumbini 3 1 2 2 -0.694

Gandaki 3 0 3 0 -1.561

Koshi 5 0 5 0 -3.596