KATHMANDU, June 2: Armed Police Force (APF) defeated Mid-western Region by five wickets and advanced to the semifinals of the ongoing 1st Prime Minister Cup One Day National Cricket Tournament on Friday.
Put to bat first, Mid-west made a total of 181 runs losing eight wickets before APF met the target in 28.2 overs at the loss of five wickets.
With a win over Mid-west, departmental side APF has now accumulated four points from two matches, and victory against the Central Region in its last group match on Saturday will make it group winner.
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Western Region has already booked its place in the last four while Central Region has crashed out from the tournament alongside Mid-west.
Mid-west couldn't make positive start to the innings as it lost the openers Prajjwal Shahi and Sushant Thapa cheaply. Prajjwal made just four runs facing 11 balls while Sushant contributed six runs off 32 balls. Rajbir Singh who came to bat at third number tried to lay foundation for respectable total scoring 37 runs off 76 balls. He also built up a 49-run partnership with Shubhendu Pandey for the third wicket. Skipper Pandey made 23 runs facing 32 balls. However losing two batsmen back to back cheaply cost Mid-west huge.
Pramit Thapa Magar who came to bat at the fourth number made just one run while Amar Routela who came to bat at the fifth number was dismissed for a duck. Both batsmen were sent to the pavilion in Bhuvan Karki's delivery. Anupam Singh collected highest 56 runs run for Mid-west.
Left arm spinner Bhuvan Karki was pick of the APF's bowlers as he pocketed 3-25 in 10 overs and he was supported by Avinash Bohara who claimed 2-29 in 10 overs. Likewise, Sandeep Jhora and Gyanendra Malla claimed one wicket each.
In reply, APF made solid start to the innings with opener Sandeep Sunar scoring highest 87 runs smashing five sixes and seven boundaries off 83 balls. Aasif Sheikh contributed 40 runs while Prithu Baskota made 15 runs remaining not out. Mid-west's Amar Routela and Bijay Chaudhary claimed two wickets each while Aakash Bista added another.
Player-of-the-match Sandeep expressed his delight over his batting performance. "I was confident today as I have been batting well in this tournament. I am happy to help my team to pull the victory that has sent us to the last four. Hopefully I will able to continue this form," said Sandeep.
