TAC outplay Province-2 in opening tie

Kathmandu, May 24

Tribhuvan Army Club defeated Province-2 by 171 runs in the opening match of the Prime Minister Cup One Day Cricket Tournament here at the TU Stadium today.

Batting first, TAC posted 278-9 in their allotted 50 overs riding on brilliant half centuries from Raju Rijal and skipper Binod Bhandari before the departmental side packed Province-2 for a paltry 107 runs with more than 18 overs to spare.

TAC made a flying start with opener Rijal and Bhandari putting up 121 runs in 21 overs. Bhandari was the first to go, caught behind by Hasim Ansari off Samsad Sheikh, for 66 off 61 balls that included nine boundaries.

Rijal then added 62 runs for the second wicket with Hari Chauhan before being caught by skipper Mehboob Alam off Hari Shankar Shah in the 35th over. Man-of-the-match Rijal struck five fours and two sixes in his 109-ball 90.

Rohit Kumar Paudel scored a quick fire 47 off 36 balls hitting four boundaries and a six, while Chauhan struck two fours in his 44-ball 26. Rajesh Pulami Magar (13), Susan Bhari (12 not out), and Karan KC (11) also contributed in double figures for TAC.

Hari Shankar Shah was the pick of the Province-2 bowlers taking 3-55, while Rashaid Khan, Bibek Yadav, Samsad Sheikh and Bishal Shusling grabbed one wicket each.

In reply, Province-2 lost wickets at regular interval and they were never in contention. Hari Shankar Shah was the top scorer with 21 off 28 balls that included four boundaries. Samsad Sheikh (16), Sudhir Chaudhary (15), Rashaid Khan (14) and Suraj Patel (11) were the other batsmen who scored in double figures.

Shahab Alam of TAC was the chief destroyer for Province-2 as he returned with the figures of 4-29 and he was able supported by Susan Bhari (3-20) and Jitendra Kumar Mukhiya (2-11).

A total of 10 teams — one each from seven provinces and three departmental sides — are taking part in the tournament orgnaised by National Sports Council under the aegis of Nepalaya International. The teams are divided into two groups of five each and top two sides from both the pools after league rounds will advance to the semi-finals. The winners and runners-up will receive two million rupees and one million rupees respectively. The player of the series will get a motorcycle, while the best batsman and bowler will get Rs 50,000 each.

Earlier, Minister for Youth and Sports Jagat Bahadur Sunar inaugurated the tournament. The opening ceremony was shifted to TU after the organisers failed to complete the preparation of the Mulpani grounds on time. According to the revised schedule, Mulpani will host matches from Sunday.

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