Army thrash Province1 for second straight victory, move atop

Binod Bhandari skipper of Tribhuvan Army Club bats against Province No.1 duirng the PM Cup Cricket Tourament at TU Cricket Stadium in Kathmandu on Friday, June 1, 2018. Photo: THT

Kathmandu, June 1

Tribhuvan Army Club thrashed Province1 by 106 runs for their second straight victory in the Prime Minister Cup One Day Cricket Tournament here at the TU Stadium today.

Invited to take the first strike in the match which was reduced to 45-over-a-side due to wet outfield, TAC posted 225-9 after skipper Binod Bhandari played a fiery knock of 29-ball 64 laced with four boundaries and six sixes. In reply, Province1 were packed for 119 in 29.3 overs.

TAC made a slow start with the bat scoring 24 runs in 11.3 overs before Firdosh Ansari dismissed Sagar Pun (eight). Anil Kumar Mandal and Naresh Budhayair gave the momentum to the innings with a 52-run partnership for the second wicket but they came under pressure after losing three quick wickets in the space of 12 runs.

Mandal hit four boundaries in his 63-ball 36, while Budhayair scored 41-ball 32 with the help of five fours. Raju Rijal (four) was dismissed cheaply. Bhim Sarki (14), Rajesh Pulami Magar (22) and Sompal Kami (18) got starts but they also failed to convert them into big knocks. Bhandari, who came at No 9, played a cameo scoring runs all over the park at the strike rate of 220. Bikram Sob scored 13-ball 16 hitting one each four and six.

Manoj Tamang was the pick of the Province1 bowlers taking 3-39, while Firdosh Ansari (2-37) and Minash Thapa (2-14) shared four wickets between them. Also, Sandeep Dhungana and Puspa Thapa pocketed one wicket each.

In reply, Puspa Thapa fought the lonely battle for Province1 and he also scored the half century against the strong bowling attack of TAC. Thapa struck six fours and one six in his 72-ball 59. Rajan Magar was the only other batsman to contribute in double figures scoring 24 off 30 balls that included four fours.

Sushan Bhari was the chief destroyer for TAC claiming 4-15 from 6.3 overs, while Sompal Kami (2-20), Sagar Pun (2-43) and Shahab Alam (2-9) took two wickets each. With the win, TAC moved to the top of the table with four points from two matches in Group A, while four other teams — Nepal APF Club, Province4, Province2 and Province1 — have two points each.

The Group B match between Province6 (Karnali) and Nepal Police Club at Mulpani grounds was abandoned due to rain. NPC and Province7 have three points each and the departmental side was ahead on superior net run rate. Province3 have two points, while Karnali and Province5 have one each.

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