Province-3 advance to semi-finals

Kathmandu, June 3

Province-3 defeated Farwest Province by six wickets to advance to the semi-finals of the Expert Prime Minister Cup One Day Cricket Tournament here at the Mulpani grounds today.

Batting first, Farwest were bowled out for 154 runs in 45.1 overs before Province-3 raced to 155-4 with 100 balls to spare. With the win, Province-3 topped Group A on better net run rate after being tied on six points with Nepal APF Club. APF had already made it to the last four from Group A along with departmental sides Nepal Police Club and Tribhuvan Army Club — who finished as top two sides respectively in Group B.

Invited to take the first strike, Farwest batsmen failed to build partnership and they lost wickets at regular interval. Opener Khadak Bohara top scored with 40 off 61 balls hitting five boundaries, while Roshan Adhikari struck four boundaries in his 55-ball 27.

Naresh Bohara scored 26 off 51 balls with the help of three boundaries, while skipper Sher Malla (14) was the only other batsman to contribute in double figures.

Man-of-the-match Surya Tamang was the pick of the Province-3 bowlers taking 3-26 and he was ably supported by Pratish GC (2-37) and Jitendra Singh Thakuri (2-17). Nandan Kumar Yadav and skipper Paras Khadka also grabbed one wicket each.

In reply, Ishan Pandey scored half century to lead the team to victory in the must-win match. Pandey struck six boundaries in his 84-ball 53, while Aadil Khan scored an unbeaten 33 off 42 balls that included three fours and the lone six of the innings. Skipper Paras Khadka struck four fours in his 19-ball 26, while Jitendra Singh Thakuri scored 12 not out from 10 balls. Opener Rit Gautam (11) also scored in double figures.

Farwest skipper Sher Malla used seven bowlers including himself in a bid to defend the low total but no one could do any wonder.

Malla along with Mahesh Adhikari, Binod Lama and Bikash Aagri took one wicket each.

Saurabh Khanal of Province-5 bats against Gandaki Province during their Expert Prime Minister Cup One Day Cricket Tournament match in Kathmandu on Monday. Photo: Udipt Singh Chhetry / THT

In another match at the TU Stadium, Province-5 beat Gandaki Province by three wickets but it became worthless following the victory of Province-3 in Mulpani.

Province-5 accumulated five points from four matches and were eliminated along with Gandaki and Farwest.

Batting first, Gandaki were bowled out for 234 runs in 49.2 overs before Province-5 reached 235-7 with one ball to spare.

Opener Anil Gurung scored a century for Gandaki but he failed to avert his team’s fourth consecutive defeat. Gurung struck five fours and a six in his 115 off 152 balls.

Dipesh Shrestha scored a quick fire 28 off 20 balls hitting a four and two sixes, while skipper Govinda Pradhan struck two fours and a six in his 26. Mekh Bahadur Sen (23), Kishore Mahato (20), Suma Ghimire (13) also scored in double figures.

Anil Kharel was the pick of the Province-5 bowlers taking 5-28 from 9.2 overs, while Krishna Karki (2-56) and Bikram Bhusal (2-51) took two wickets each and Siddhant Shahi grabbed one.

In reply, Saurav Khanal scored 90 off 112 balls hitting 12 boundaries to lead Province-5 to victory. Pranit Thapa Magar struck five fours in his 66-ball 45, while Nischal Chaudhary scored 33 off 51 balls with the help of four boundaries.

Sandeep Sunar scored 17, while skipper Krishna Karki (13) and Shubhendu Pandey (11) also scored in double figures.

Kishore Mahato took two wickets for Gandaki, while Bishal Paudel, Dipesh Shrestha and Govinda Pradhan claimed one each.

In the semi-final matches, Province-3 will face TAC on Wednesday, while NPC and APF will fight in alldepartmental clash on Thursday. The final is scheduled for Saturday.

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