Army stay unbeaten, Gandaki stun APF

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 30: Tribhuwan Army Club maintained their unbeaten run with a three‑wicket victory over Bagmati Province, while Gandaki Province registered a 43‑run win over APF Club in the Men’s Prime Minister Cup on Sunday.

At Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground, Army chased down 209 in a rain‑curtailed 28‑over contest, reaching 210 for 7 with just one ball to spare. 

They now top the league standings with seven points from four matches, ahead of Nepal Police Club and Madhesh Province, who both have five points.

Kushal Malla guided Army home with a sparkling unbeaten 90 from 58 balls, striking three fours and eight sixes. His innings anchored the chase after opener Trit Raj Das had set the tone with a fluent 54 off 48 balls. 

Naren Saud added 26 and Arjun Saud chipped in with 14. For Bagmati, Bibek Magar and Ishan Pandey claimed two wickets apiece.

Earlier, Bagmati posted 208 for 7 after being invited to bat. Ashutosh Ghiraiya (38), Pawan Thapa (35) and Bibek Magar (30) provided the foundation, while late cameos from Sonu Devkota (30) and captain Sandeep Lamichhane (21) lifted the total. Naren Saud was the pick of Army’s bowlers with 4 for 26.

At Lower Mulpani Ground, Gandaki secured their first win by dismissing APF for 107 in 18.3 overs. Electing to bat first in a reduced 21‑over match, Gandaki made 150 for 7, with opener Gaurav BK (37), Deepak Dumre (34), Arjun Kumal (25), captain Bipin Khatri (20 not out) and Dinesh Budhamagar (19) contributing.

Abinash Bohara took three wickets for APF, but Gandaki’s bowlers dominated. Aprajit Poudel and Cibrin Shrestha shared six wickets, while Subash Bhandari added two. 

APF’s resistance came from Sumit Maharjan (22), Kamal Aire (17), Lokesh Bam (14), Aasif Sheikh (14) and Avishek Gautam (14 not out).

The win lifted Gandaki to three points from four matches, placing them eighth. APF also have three points from four games but sit seventh on net run rate.