KATHMANDU, April 28: The host team Karnali XI has reached the semifinal of the ongoing Karnali Premier League after defeating Mid-western Cricket Club by 31 runs in the last group match played in Surkhet on Saturday.
Karnali posted 141 runs on the board before limiting Mid-western to 117 runs in 20 overs for the loss of seven wickets to register its second win of the tournament. Karnali had defeated Jhapa’s Lali Gurans Cricket Club by eight wickets in the first group match on Friday.
Skipper Rabindra Jung Shahi scored an unbeaten 61 runs from 56 deliveries which included six boundaries to help Karnali post 141 runs in 20 overs for the loss of four wickets.
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Shahi shared a partnership of 69 runs for the fifth wicket with Krishna Karki to help home team recover from losing four wickets for 79 runs at one stage. Karki smashed four boundaries and two sixes during his 27-ball unbeaten 46 runs in the first innings.
Tulsi Ram Ahin picked up two wickets for Mid-western supported by Amit Tamang and Ajay Sahani’s a wicket each in the innings.
In reply, Shailendra Yadav top-scored for Mid-western with 31 runs in a failed chase attempt. Similarly, Rajbir Singh and Aakash Bista contributed 30 and 23 runs respectively.
Player of the match Karki, who scored 46 runs with the bat, went on to pick up three wickets conceding 11 runs from his four overs to help Karnali secure a semifinal spot. Kishore Mahato scalped two wickets supported by Jitendra Singh Thakuri and Lalit Pyakurel’s a wicket each.
In the other match of the day, Armed Police Force (APF) Club defeated Himalayan Cricket Academy by 84 runs. APF won the toss and batted first. APF opening batsman and player of the match Anil Kumar Sah smashed first century of Karnali Premier League scoring 102 runs from 58 deliveries which included 15 boundaries and three sixes.
Skipper Sharad Vesawkar scored 51 runs to help APF post 193 runs in 20 overs for the loss of two wickets and picked up four wickets to bundle out Himalayan for 108 runs to secure the commanding win.
Bhuvan Karki, Puran BK and Sandeep Jora shared two wickets each as only three Himalayan batsmen were able to reach double figures.
Mid-western will face Lali Gurans in the first match on Sunday followed by a clash between APF and New Horizon Club.
