Maharjan bats APF to easy victory

Kathmandu, May 25

Nepal APF Club defeated Province-3 by 41 runs in the Expert Prime Minister Cup One Day Cricket Tournament here at the TU Stadium today.

Gyanendra Malla vice-captain of Province No.3 raises his bat to celebrate a century against Nepal APF Club during their Expert Prime Minister Cup One Day Cricket Tournament at TU Cricket Stadium in Kathmandu on Saturday. Photo: Udipt Singh Chhetry/ THT

Batting first, APF posted 288-9 in their allotted 50 overs, while Province-3 could reach 247-9 despite brilliant century from Gyanendra Malla.

APF failed to make desired start after skipper Prithu Baskota elected to bat first and they were reduced to 35-3 inside seven overs after Sharad Vesawkar (12), Aasif Sheikh (seven) and Shankar Rana (one) fell cheaply.

Pradeep Singh Airee and Sumit Maharjan steadied the innings with a 75-run partnership for the fourth wicket. After Airee departed for 40 off 63 balls hitting four boundaries and a six, Maharjan combined with skipper Baskota to add 98 runs for the fifth wicket.

Maharjan missed the century by just six runs after he was run out by Sonu Devkota in the 40th over.

Sumit Maharjan of Nepal APF Club runs between wickets against Province No.3 during their Expert Prime Minister Cup One Day Cricket Tournament at TU Cricket Stadium in Kathmandu on Saturday. Photo: Udipt Singh Chhetry/ THT

Maharjan, who was later adjudged the man of the match, struck five boundaries and six sixes in his 103- ball 94. Baskota scored 59 off 58 balls that included three fours and a six. Bhuvan Karki scored run-a-ball 15 with the help of a six, while Amar Singh Routela remained unbeaten on 27 off just 18 balls that included two each fours and sixes.

Nandan Kumar Yadav (3- 40) and Jitendra Singh Thakuri (3-38) shared six wickets between them for Province-3, while skipper Paras Khadka and Surya Tamang grabbed one wicket each.

In reply, Province-3 made a mediocre start with openers Rit Gautam and Jitendra Singh Thakuri adding 40 runs inside 12 overs but they lost three quick wickets to be 55-3 in 16 overs. Gautam scored 27 off 42 balls hitting four fours, while Thakuri scored 2-ball 12 and Ishan Pandey was out for one run.

Skipper Paras Khadka and his national team deputy Gyanendra Malla — who both left APF recently — added 57 runs for the fourth wicket before the former was dismissed for 46 off 45 balls that included four boundaries and two sixes. Province-3 then lost three quick wickets to be 145-7 inside 37 overs before Malla and Sonu Devkota added 98 runs for the eighth wicket. Devkota was run out for 15 off 28 balls, while Malla scored 117 off 111 balls hitting eight fours and five sixes.

Kamal Singh Airee was the pick of the APF bowlers taking 3-64, while Abinash Bohara took 2-66. Skipper Baskota and Bhuvan Karki grabbed one wicket each.

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