KATHMANDU, Jan 9: Departmental team Nepal Police Club registered the biggest win by run-margin in the ongoing Manmohan Memorial National One-Day Cricket Tournament defeating Karnali Province by 267 runs during the first Group B match played at Inaruwa cricket ground in Sunsari on Wednesday.

Police Club accumulated whopping 346 runs, most in the tournament so far, before losing all its wickets in 49.3 overs. Karnali, chasing the total, was bundled-out for 79 runs in 27.1 overs falling to a scathing defeat.

Couple of Police Club batsmen scored half-centuries as Karnali won the toss and invited the departmental team to bat first. Sunil Dhamala contributed a patient 70 runs off 95 deliveries which included six boundaries and a six. Similarly, all-rounder Kushal Bhurtel capped off the innings with a brisk 49-ball 78 runs which included seven boundaries and five sixes to take the Police Club total to beyond 300. Likewise, Lalit Singh Bhandari chipped in with 21-ball unbeaten 27 runs which included a four and two sixes whereas Anil Kumar Sah contributed 36 runs off 39 deliveries which included four boundaries and a six.  Amit Shrestha and Dipendra Singh Airee contributed 29 and 26 runs respectively.

Karnali captain Rabindra Jung Shahi was pick of the bowlers with three wickets, introducing himself as eighth bowler of the innings. Raj Kumar Shah and Younish Singh shared two wickets each whereas Lalit Pyakurel picked up a wicket as no Karnali bowler were able to contain the free-flowing scoring.

In reply, Police Club’s seven different bowlers registered their name in wicket’s column to dismiss Karnali for a paltry total of 79 runs. Lalit Singh Bhandari, captain Manjeet Shrestha and spinner Sagar Dhakal shared two wickets each whereas Dipendra Singh Airee, Pawan Sarraf, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi and Kushal Bhurtel shared a wicket each to secure the quick win.

Only four Karnali batsmen were able to reach double-digit scorers with Shah top-scoring with 14-ball 23 runs which included three sixes. Hemant Oli and Diwan Pun contributed 10 runs each whereas Tek Salami Magar scored 29-ball 14 runs including two fours. Captain Shahi could only muster 6 runs at top of the innings.

In a key match for Karnali Province, it will face Province 2 on Thursday. Karnali needs a win to remain in contention for semifinals. Similarly, Province 2 will face Karnali on Friday. The group topper will qualify for the semifinals.

 
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