APF defeated Region No 1 (Biratnagar) by 45 runs on Friday at the Nagar Bikash Ground, Pokhara. [break]
APF elected to bat and put up 90/8 in 20 overs. Though Neera Rajopadhyaya (19 runs off 28 balls) and Sita Rana Magar (15 runs off 25 balls) were the only APF batswomen to score in double-digits, APF reached a modest total of 90 runs as Biratnagar bowled 25 extras. Neha Karki, Rashmi Chaulagain, Sabina Shrestha and Anu Agrawal took two wickets each for Biratnagar.
In reply, Biratnagar was bowled out for 45 runs in 15.1 overs. Ambika Buddhathoki (7 runs) and Shikha Shrestha (7 runs) were the major contributors behind 18 extras bowled by APF.
Sonu Khadka, Rubina Chhetri and Karuna Bhandari claimed two wickets each for APF. APF captain Rajopadhyaya was adjudged player-of-the-match.
APF has six points from three matches while Biratnagar, Region No 7 (Janakpur) and Region No 5 (Nepalgunj) have two points each in the group B of the tournament.
Nepalgunj garnered two points on Friday as it defeated Janakpur by five wickets. Janakpur elected to bat but bundled out for 45 runs in 17.5 overs.
Nepalgunj would have to chase smaller target, had not its bowlers bowled 10 extras. Mamta Chaudhary, Trishna Singh, Samjhana Sharma and Nery Thapa took two wickets each for Nepalgunj.
Player-of-the-match Singh scored 12 runs of 40 balls and Janakpur gave away 15 extras to make Nepalgunj victory easier. Nepalgunj met the target in 17.1 overs losing five wickets.
In group A, Region No 6 (Baitadi) and Region No 3 (Kathmandu) won their respective matches at the Pokhara Stadium on Friday.
Baitadi crushed Region No 2 (Birgunj) by 64 runs. Electing to bat, Baitadi put up 132/5 in 20 overs as Rekha Rawal scored 56 runs off 50 balls and Roshani Bohara added 32 runs off 46 balls. Birgunj bowled 22 extras.
Player-of-the-match Rawal showing her all-round brilliance took four wickets to restrict Birgunj at 68/8 in 20 overs. Rachana Aryal (15 runs) and Manish Chaulagain (unbeaten 14 runs) were the major contributors for Birgunj.
Likewise, Kathmandu edged past Region No 4 (Bhairahawa) by 32 runs. Electing to bat, Kathmandu put up 111/3 in 20 overs. Shilu Rijal (26 runs), Sangeeta Gauchan (unbeaten 22 runs), Rabina Bhandari (unbeaten 22 runs) and Roji Rai (14 runs) were the major contributors for Kathmandu.
In reply, Bhairahawa was bowled out for 79 runs with a over remaining. Nitu Bhandari (14 runs) and Indu Berma (15 runs) were the major contributors for Bhairahawa. Geeta Chudal picked three wickets while player-of-the-match Sangeeta Gauchan claimed two wickets for Kathmandu.
Saturday´s matches
APF Club Vs R7 Janakpur
R5 Nepalgunj Vs R8 Pokhara
R2 Birgunj Vs R4 Bhairahawa
R3 Kathmandu Vs R6 Baitadi
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