KATHMANDU, May 24: Spinner Sushil Kandel took a five-wicket haul to help Nepal Police Club (NPC) register a seven-wicket win over the Far- Western Region in the ongoing 1st Prime Minister Cup One Day National Cricket Tournament on Wednesday.  

Sushil also became the second player after Tribhuvan Army Club's Sagar Pun to take five wickets. 

In the Group B match played at TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, the NPC had chosen to field first inviting Far-Western for batting after winning the toss. Gyanendra Kuwar stroked the highest 49 runs smashing four boundaries in 88 balls before getting dismissed by Aarif Sheikh. 

Earlier, the regional team couldn't make a solid start to the innings as openers Surendra Chand and Roshan Nepali built up a just 25-run partnership for the first wicket. Surendra, also the skipper of the regional team, made nine runs off 21 balls while Roshan contributed 21 runs with the help of four boundaries facing 39 balls before being sent to the pavilion by Sushil. Player-of-the-match Sushil who claimed 5-21 in 10 overs also ducked Far Western's Anil Kumar Thapa, besides dismissing Santosh Bhatta (25) and Kiran Thagunna (3). Sushil was supported by Lalit Bhandari who took 3-25 in 8.4 overs. 

In reply, NPC, the departmental team, met the target in just 24.3 overs losing just three wickets. Amit Shrestha struck the highest 75 runs hitting three sixes and eight boundaries facing 63 balls for the police team. He also built up an important 128-run partnership with Dilip Nath. Dilip contributed 40 runs with the help of four boundaries and one six off 50 balls while Dipendra Singh Airee made 27 runs remaining not out. Similarly, Aarif Sheikh contributed eight runs with the help of one boundary facing seven balls. 

The regional team's Sagar Bhandari, Bikash Airi and Bhim Sharki claimed one wicket each.

After leading his team to a winning start in the tournament, NPC skipper Manjit Shrestha said that the players executed the game plan perfectly. “We played as per the plan. As our batting was very good today, we chased the target easily,” said skipper Shrestha. 

He also claimed that his team is a title contender, adding that his side is balanced with the mix of experienced national players and other talented young faces. “We have many national players in the team whose presence has certainly made us stronger. We also have some other talented young players who are equally good. So, we have a strong team and we take ourselves as a title contender,” added Shrestha.  

Meanwhile Far Western region's skipper Surendra Chand said that the disappointing performance from the bowlers cost them dearly. “Today our bowling was below par. We also couldn't give the opponent a decent target,” said Chand. 

“We couldn't prepare well as we trained for just two days after finalizing the final squad. We also had opted for the T20 format during player selection and practice matches but here we are playing 50 over matches. So, these things also haven't helped us,” added Chand. 

Now on Thursday, NPC will take on the Eastern Region in another Group B match.  

 
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• 1st prime minister cup one day national cricket tournament