Lokesh's explosive batting lead APF to victory over Koshi

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 27: Lokesh Bam's record-breaking knock powered APF Club to a thrilling two-wicket victory over Koshi Province, keeping their PM Cup Men's National Cricket Tournament final hopes alive.

At Siddhartha Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, APF chased down a 255-run target set by Koshi in 44.4 overs, losing eight wickets.

Lokesh smashed an unbeaten 84 off just 54 balls, laced with six fours and six maximums, to secure APF's seventh win in nine matches.

Lokesh's 84-run blitz is now the highest individual score at number eight, surpassing Saurabh Khanal's 82 for the Western Region in 2017. 

Alongside Irshad Ahmed, Lokesh stitched a 94-run stand for the ninth wicket, the highest in PM Cup history, guiding APF to victory at 258/8. 

The previous record was an 83-run partnership between Rashid Khan and Hasim Ansari of Central Province in 2017 against APF.

Skipper Rohit Paudel showcased his form with a composed 61 off 73 balls, including six boundaries, marking his second half-century of the tournament. 

He anchored the innings after APF were reeling at 51/3 in 7.4 overs, sharing a crucial 54-run stand for the fifth wicket with Sundeep Jora. 

Sundeep contributed a brisk 30 off 25, hitting four boundaries. Rohit fell as the sixth wicket at 154 in 27.3 overs.

Dipak Bohara played a quick-fire cameo, smashing seven boundaries in his 36 off 26 balls. 

Avishek Gautam chipped in with 14 off 33, while Irshad remained unbeaten on 16 from 40 balls.

For Koshi, Firdosh Ansari and Dipesh Kandel picked up three wickets each, while Gyanendra Shrestha and Bhupal Luitel scalped one apiece.

Batting first after winning the toss, Koshi were bowled out for 254 in 50 overs. Openers Chirag Sah and Shaikb Haq gave a strong start with a 90-run stand for the first wicket. 

Shakib top-scored with 68 off 63 balls, striking 11 boundaries, before being dismissed as the second wicket in the 23rd over. Chirag made 24 off 48 before departing in the 15th over.

Middle-order contributions from Aaish Bhattarai (34), Sujan Thapaliya (33), and Captain Ankit Suvedi (35) pushed Koshi past the 200-run mark. Dipesh Kandel added 12 runs to the total.

APF's bowlers Avishek Gautam and Mousam Dhakal bagged three wickets each, while Rohit claimed two. Irshad Ahmed and Amar Singh Rautela chipped in with one wicket each.

With this victory, APF climbed to 14 points from nine matches and sits in third place. 

The Tribhuvan Army Club, also on 14 points from eight matches, leads on net run rate.  APF's hopes of making the finals rest on the Army's clash with defending champion Nepal Police Club on Thursday. Only a heavy defeat for the Army could seal APF’s spot in the final.  Meanwhile, Koshi signed off from the tournament sitting at the bottom of the league table with one victory and eight defeats.