Far Western into MM Cup semifinals

Published On: January 13, 2020 12:01 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

Republica Far Western's Binod Lama receives the player-of-the-match award at the end of the Manmahon Memorial Cup One-day National Cricket Tournament against Gandaki Province at the Inaruwa Cricket Ground in Inaruwa, Sunsari on Sunday.

ITAHARI, Jan 13: Far Western Province reached the semifinal of the second edition of the Manmahon Memorial (MM) Cup One day National Cricket Tournament defeating Gandaki Province by a wicket in Sunsari on Sunday.

At the Inaruwa Cricket Ground, Far Western guaranteed its place in the semifinal with the win.
The departmental teams Tribhuvan Army Club and Nepal Police Club along with Province 3 have also advanced to the semifinals of the MM Cup. Army reached the last four from Group A, while Police from Group B.

Far Western had also defeated Malaysia by eight wickets in its first game. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Gandaki presented a target of 65 runs. In reply, Far Western reached the target within 10.2 overs losing only a wicket. Gajendra Bohara of Far Western scored the highest 34 runs for the team, while Khadak Bohora scored 16. Arun Airee added another 10 for Far Western. The only wicket for Gandaki was taken by Deepesh Khatri.

Gandaki was limited for 64 runs in 23.3 overs losing all the wicket in process. Left-handed spinner for Far western, Binod Lama who in the previous game took four wickets against Malaysia, produced another stunning display by taking unbelievable seven wickets in the game. He bowled two maiden overs and only conceded 14 runs in his 9.4 overs spell. Similarly, off-spiner Sher Malla took two wickets whereas Bikram Thagunna grabbed a wicket for the winning team.

For Gandaki, opening batsman Kishore Mahato scored the highest 17 runs for the team while the rest of the batsmen could not reach the double digits. Lama was announced as the player of the match after his stunning display.

The final game of Group D will be played between Malaysia and Gandaki on Monday. The first semifinal game will be played between Province No 3 and Army on January 15, while the second semifinal match will be played between Police and Far Western the next day.