Koshi fix title showdown with APF at PM Cup

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Jan. 2: Koshi Province secured their spot in the Prime Minister (PM) Cup Women’s T20 National Cricket Tournament title match against APF Club after defeating defending champions Sudurpaschim Province by nine wickets in Qualifier 2 at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Monday.

Chasing a target of 89 runs, Koshi reached the goal in just 13 overs, with only one wicket lost. Kajol Shrestha was unbeaten as she scored the highest 38 runs in the match, hitting seven boundaries off 35 balls. She hit Anu Kadayat for a boundary to complete the chase with 92 runs on the board. Shrestha and her captain Rubina Chhetry combined for an impressive 59-run opening partnership.

Captain Chhetry contributed a quick 23-ball 37, smashing seven balls to the fence and one for maximum. Apsara Begam remained not out with 12 runs off 21 balls, including two fours. Sudurpaschim's Lakshmi Saud took only one wicket, conceding 25 runs from her four overs. Earlier, Sudurpaschim, who was invited to bat first, lost seven wickets to collect 88 runs in the allocated 20 overs. 

Samjhana Khadka top-scored for Sudurpaschim with 24 runs off 25 balls, including four fours. Opener Bindu Rawal contributed 17 runs off 18 balls before being run out in 6.3 overs as the first wicket. 

Another opener, Rubi Poddar, scored only seven runs before being trapped lbw to the bowling from Sangita Rai. Kabita Joshi was the only other batter to score in double digits with 15 runs off 29 balls. Sudurpaschim's Rewati Dhami, Anu Kadayat, Laxmi Saud, Sabitri Dhami all struggled to add single digits.

Right-arm off-break Sangita Rai finished with figures of 13-2, with Sabnam Rai, Alyssa Khadia, and Nisha Shah taking one wicket each. Sudurpaschim qualified for Qualifier 2 after defeating Bagmati Province in the eliminator match.

Koshi will face APF in the final on Wednesday, seeking revenge for their 52-run defeat in the Qualifier 1. Koshi won the PM Cup in 2020, while APF won the 2021 edition.