Sudur Paschim edge Police as Army seal final berth

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Apr. 13: Sudur Paschim Province strengthened their bid for a place in the final with victory over Nepal Police Club, while Arjun Kumal struck his second century of the tournament to guide Gandaki Province to an emphatic win at the Men’s Prime Minister Cup.

Sudur Paschim’s win, however, confirmed table‑toppers Tribhuwan Army Club as the first finalists, with two matches still in hand. Army lead the standings with 13 points, followed by Sudur Paschim on 12 from nine matches.

Police, in third place, saw their final hopes dashed after suffering a third defeat, leaving them on nine points with one match remaining. 

Madhesh Province, fourth with nine points from seven matches, could still reach the final if they win both of their remaining fixtures, overtaking Sudur Paschim. APF Club, with nine points from eight matches, are already out of contention.

At Ram Janaki Cricket Stadium, Sudur Paschim defeated Police by 38 runs. Chasing 192, Police were dismissed for 135 in 35.1 overs. Gulshan Jha top‑scored with 50, while Amit Shrestha, Aarif Sheikh and Dilsad Ali each contributed 19. Dinesh Kharel and Shankar Rana added 10 apiece. Hemant Dhami and Sher Malla shared six wickets to dismantle the Police batting line‑up.

Earlier, Sudur Paschim, put in to bat, were bowled out for 191 in 40.4 overs. Narayan Joshi led the innings with 82, including seven fours and six sixes. Khadak Bohora (22), Hemant Dhami (20), Ashok Dhami (18) and Kiran Thagunna (17) chipped in useful runs. For Police, Dinesh Kharel claimed four wickets, while Sagar Dhakal took three and Kushal Bhurtel two.

In Birgunj, Gandaki recorded their third win of the Cup with an eight‑wicket victory over Lumbini Province. Electing to bat, Lumbini were bowled out for 207 in 45 overs. Gandaki replied with 211‑2 in 44.1 overs, powered by Kumal’s unbeaten 103 off 130 balls, featuring 13 boundaries and a six. 

It was his second century of the season, making him only the second batter after Army’s Binod Bhandari to achieve the feat in one edition. Kumal now leads the scoring charts with 400 runs.

He shared a 95‑run opening stand with Cibrin Shrestha (43). Deepak Dumre remained unbeaten on 25, while Muskhan Thapa added 23. Santosh Yadav and Dinesh Bohora took one wicket each for Lumbini.

Earlier, Yadav’s 82 off 77 balls and Salahuddin Khan’s 60 anchored Lumbini’s innings. Captain Dev Khanal (14), Darsh Sonal (11) and Bohora (20) were the only other batters to reach double figures. Gandaki’s bowling was led by Bipin Khatri with four wickets, supported by Aprajit Poudel (3) and Cibrin Shrestha (2).

CAN bans Karan KC 

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has handed national team member and Nepal Police Club player Karan KC a one‑match ban and fined him his entire match fee. 

The disciplinary action follows remarks he made on social media criticising an umpire’s decision during the ongoing Prime Minister Cup One‑Day National Cricket Tournament.

In a statement issued on Sunday, CAN said KC’s comments were found to be against the spirit of the game. The association noted it had taken serious exception to his remarks and, in coordination with relevant stakeholders, proceeded with disciplinary measures.

“Nepal Police Club player Karan KC’s comments directed at the umpire via social media have been deemed inconsistent with the spirit of cricket. Accordingly, he has been banned for one match in the Prime Minister Cup and fined 100 per cent of his match fee,” the statement read.

As a result, KC will miss his team’s next fixture in the tournament and forfeit the remuneration due for that match.