KATHMANDU, June 2: Captain Binod Bhandari’s 64 runs and Sushan Bhari’s four-wicket haul propelled the departmental team Tribhuvan Army Club to its second consecutive win with a 106-run victory over Province 1 in the Inter-provincial Prime Minister Cup on Friday.
In the Group A match played at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Army skipper Bhandari hit 64 runs off 29 balls coming in at number 8 which included six sixes and four fours, while defending the total Bhari claimed four wickets giving away 15 runs in the 6.3 overs he bowled which included a maiden.
Earlier, winning the toss and electing to field first, Province 1 were presented with the target of 226 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the reduced 45-overs per innings match by Army. In reply, Province 1 lost all its wickets making 119 runs in 29.3 overs.
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Army’s Anil Mandal scored 36 runs off 63 deliveries including four boundaries, while Naresh Budayair added 32 runs off 41 balls with five fours to the total supporting Bhandari’s onslaught. Likewise, Rajesh Pulami Magar contributed 22 runs, while Sompal Kami hit 18, Bikram Sob scored 16 and Bhim Sharki added 14 runs.
Manoj Tamang was the pick of the Province 1 bowlers as he claimed three wickets giving away 39 runs in nine overs. Similarly, Minash Thapa and Firdosh Ansari registered two wickets each, while Sandeep Dhungana and Puspa Thapa chipped in with one each.
In reply, only two Province 1 batsmen were able to take their score to double digits, while four batsmen failed to even hit a single run.
Skipper Pushpa hit the highest for the team with 59 runs off 72 balls including a six and six boundaries, while he was supported by wicketkeeper-batsman Rajan Magar, who scored 24 runs off 30 deliveries which included four fours.
Bhari was the best bowler in the match with his four wickets, while Kami, Sagar Pun and Shahab Alam shared two wickets each.
The other match played between the other departmental team Nepal Police Club and Province 6 at the Mulpani Cricket Ground was cancelled due to rain without a single ball being bowled.
The other departmental team Armed Police Force Club (APF) will take on Province 1 at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Saturday, while Province 3 will face Province 7 at the Mulpani Cricket Ground on the same day.
