Lumbini, Gandaki keep Jay Trophy hopes alive

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Apr. 15: Lumbini Province and Gandaki Province kept their Jay Trophy hopes alive with their fourth victories at the Men’s PM Cup National One Day Cricket Tournament on Tuesday.

With a 34‑run win over Bagmati, Lumbini climbed to fifth place with nine points from eight matches. 

Gandaki also recorded a comprehensive nine‑wicket victory to collect nine points and remain in contention for a top‑six place. 

They are currently seventh in the league standings. Having already played all nine matches, their fate now depends on the results of other teams.

Fourth‑placed Nepal Police Club and sixth‑placed Madhesh Province also have nine points and are battling for a top‑six position with one match in hand. 

With 11 points, third‑placed APF have already secured their place in the Jai Trophy. 

From next season, the top six teams in the PM Cup will contest the two‑day Jay Trophy Men’s Elite Cup.

At Ramjanki Multipurpose Stadium, Janakpur, Lumbini ended Bagmati’s top‑six hopes, thanks to superb bowling from Nirmal Gurung. 

Chasing 234 for victory, Bagmati were bowled out for 199 in 44 overs. With the defeat, Sandeep Lamichhane’s side failed to qualify for the Jai Trophy for the first time, finishing eighth with eight points from nine matches.

Bagmati’s top order faltered, with Bibek Magar scoring the highest 45 runs. Captain Lamichhane added 32, while Uttam Magar (23), Ishan Pandey (17), Ringzin Lama (16), Ashutosh Ghiraiya (15), Pratis GC (14) and Shubh Kansakar (12) were the other double‑digit scorers.

Gurung was the star with the ball, taking five wickets for 27 runs in 10 overs, including four maidens. Biprasan KC and Dinesh Bohora claimed two wickets each. 

Earlier, batting first, Lumbini were dismissed for 233 in 45.2 overs. Aakash Tripathi top‑scored with a run‑a‑ball 72, hitting nine fours and a six. 

Prajjwol Thapa made 46, captain Dev Khanal added 37, Santosh Yadav contributed 25, Dinesh Bohora chipped in with 14 and Biprasan KC added 13 from the lower order.

For Bagmati, Bibek Magar bowled economically, taking three wickets for 33 runs in seven overs. Skipper Lamichhane also picked up three wickets for 44 runs in 10 overs, while Rijan Dhakal claimed two.

At Narayani Cricket Ground, Birgunj, Gandaki elected to field first and bundled out Karnali Province for just 72 runs. 

Gandaki chased down the target in 13.1 overs, losing only one wicket.

Opener Arjun Kumal fell for six, but Sibrin Shrestha and Deepak Dumre guided the side home comfortably. 

Shrestha struck an unbeaten 40 off 34 balls with five fours and a six, while Dumre remained not out on 22, laced with three fours and one six. 

Bipin Sharma was the only wicket‑taker for Karnali.

Earlier, Bipin Khatri did the damage with the ball, taking five wickets for just 18 runs in a miserly 10‑over spell that included four maidens. 

Karnali were neve in the contest having  lost seven wickets for only 31 runs. Prakash Jaishi (15 not out), captain Diwan Pun (14) and Arjun Gharti (13) were the only players to reach double figures. 

Aparajit Paudel supported Khatri with a three‑wicket haul.

Karnali ended their campaign ninth, with just one win, seven defeats and one no‑result, collecting three points overall.