APF advance to playoff

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 28:The Armed Police Force (APF) Club registered fifth consecutive victory to advance to the playoffs at the ongoing PM Cup Women’s T20 National Cricket Tournament on Wednesday. Koshi Province and Sudurpashchim Province have both achieved their fourth win, while Bagmati Province has secured its third win to keep its hope of entering the playoffs alive.

APF managed to set a massive target of 161 against Karnali, with Rajmati Airee and Mamta Chaudhary both scoring half-centuries for the team. Airee scored 67 runs off 55 balls, while Chaudhary hit 62 runs off 55 balls. 

APF's bowling side performed well, winning the match by 92 runs at the TU Cricket Stadium. Karuna Bhandari took four wickets by giving 13 runs, and Suman Bist took two wickets for seven runs to restrict Karnali to 68/8 in 20 overs. APF leads the table with 10 points.

On the other hand, Koshi won the match against Gandaki by 55 runs. Koshi's bowlers defended a low target of 104 as they bowled out Gandaki's batsmen at 48 runs in 15 overs. Rubina Chhetry took three wickets and gave no runs to Gandaki. She was supported by Alisha Khadiya, who gave nine runs and took two wickets. Koshi trails APF in second place with eight points.

Sudurpashchim won the match against Madhes by five wickets in the Upper Mulpani Cricket Stadium. Sudurpashchim, who was given a target of 83, scored 86 in the loss of five wickets with only a ball of the 20-over game remaining. Despite having eight points, Sudurpaschim follows Koshi in third position, being inferior in net run rate.

Bagmati emerged victorious in the match against Lumbini by nine runs. Lumbini was unable to reach the target of 110 as the players could only score 100 at a loss of eight wickets in 20 overs. Helisha Gurung of Bagmati was the highest scorer in the match with 46 runs off 45 balls. With three wins in a row, Bagmati sits in fourth spot with six points. Lumbini is in fifth place with four points. With back-to-back three defeats, Gandaki is in sixth place with two points. Madhes also has two points and sits in seventh place, while Karnali occupies the bottom place, losing five matches in a row.

Koshi, Madhes, Gandaki and Karnali will face Sudurpashchim, Lumbini, APF, and Bagmati on Thursday.