KATHMANDU, Dec 30: Armed Police Force (APF) claimed men's cricket gold defeating departmental rival Tribhuvan Army Club in the final played on Friday. APF overcame Army by 49 runs at Baijnathpur cricket ground in Biratnagar. 

Put to bat first after losing the toss, APF scored 121 runs losing nine wickets in the 20 over format game and bowled out Army for a meagre total of 72 runs in 17.4 overs. 

Bhuwan Karki came up with all-round performance for APF. The tailender scored 24 runs off 12 balls and pocket four wickets to bowl out Army for the low total.

After losing the first three wickets cheaply, skipper Paras Khadka led APF innings by scoring highest 33 runs. He hit a four and six in his 38-ball knock before being caught by Bikram Sob. Besides Paras and Bhuwan Karki, Prithu Baskota (12 runs) was the other batsman to reach double digit figure for APF. 

Army bowlers Sompal Kami, Bikram Sob and Chandra Saud claimed two wickets each. 

In the run chase, Naresh Budhayer became the only batsman for Army to reach double figure as other batsmen were out too cheaply. Naresh hit 19 runs off 17 deliveries. 

Besides Bhuwan Karki claiming four wickets in his four-over spell for APF, Yagyaman Kumal and Shakti Gauchan had their share of two wickets. 

Meanwhile, Nepal Police Club secured third place honors defeating Central Region by 33 runs. Batting first, Police scored 155/7 and restricted Central Region at 122/8 though Hari Shankar Shah contributed highest 52 runs for the losing side.  

 
• armed police force
 
• tribhuvan army club
 
• sevenths national games