Lumbini, APF, Karnali start PM Cup with win

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 10: Lumbini Province, APF Club, and Karnali all achieved victories in the Men's Prime Minister (PM) Cup on Sunday.

Lumbini Province recorded a 26-run win over Koshi Province, APF defeated Bagmati Province by 100 runs, and Karnali won by 79 runs against Sudur Paschim Province in matches played at three different venues.

At Siddarthanagar, Lumbini, led by a half-century performance from Aakash Tripathi, set a target of 208 runs, losing all their wickets in 48 overs. Tripathi scored 60 runs off 90 balls, hitting seven boundaries and one six. In addition to Tripathi, opener Mrinal Gurung contributed 43 runs off 61 balls, while Nar Sarki, batting at number seven, scored a quick 45 runs off just 32 balls, including six fours and one six. 

For Koshi, Dipesh Kandel and Prakash Karki each took three wickets. In their run chase, Koshi was bowled out for 182 runs in 42.4 overs. Their lower order struggled to match the contributions from the top order. Sujan Thapaliya was the highest scorer for Koshi with 35 runs, while opener Chirag Sah scored 31, Captain Ankit Subedi managed 18, Shakib Haq made 27, and Suvari Gahataraj added 29 runs.

Ajay Chauhan was the standout bowler for Lumbini with a five-wicket haul, and Ramesh Kurmi also took three wickets.

At Tilottama, APF batted first and scored 174 runs, losing all ten wickets in 44 overs. In reply, Bagmati collapsed, managing only 74 runs in 28.2 overs. Kamal Airee was the key bowler for APF, taking four wickets, while Rohit Paudel and Amar Routela each claimed two wickets. Subh Kansakar was the only Bagmati batsman to score in double figures with 16 runs. Earlier, Dipak Bohara scored 25, Sundeep Jora made 37, Amar Routela remained not out on 26, and Kamal Airee contributed 15 runs for APF. For Bagmati, Rijan Dhakal ended with a five-wicket haul, while Nandan Yadav took three wickets.

At Lamahi, Karnali chose to bat first and set a total of 155 runs, thanks to Arjun Gharti's impressive 71 runs. Dinesh Adhikari scored 17, and Diwan Pun added 12 runs. 

In their chase, Sudur Paschim was bowled out for just 76 runs in 21 overs. Khadak Bohora scored 27, Kiran Thagunna managed 13, and Sher Malla finished not out on 13, being the only players to reach double figures. 

Dipendra Rawat was outstanding with the ball for Karnali, taking seven wickets for just 33 runs in three maiden overs.