Defending champion Bank of Kathmandu (BoK), Standard Chartered Bank, NMB Bank, Civil Bank, host Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Century Bank, Nabil Bank and Nepal Bank Limited made it to the pre-quarterfinal on Monday. Among all 24 teams competing in the event, 17 were bank teams. The event is being held at the TU ground in Kirtipur, Kathmandu.[break]
BoK edged past Himalayan Bank by five wickets which crashed out of the event following second defeat in a row from the group stage. Himalayan Bank that opted to bat first garnered 43 runs losing five wickets. Santosh Rati claimed two wickets and Ayush Malla got one wicket of Himalayan Bank. In the run chase, Diwas Thakuri scored 19 runs and Diwes Dangol was unbeaten on 12 runs as it achieved target in 3.2 overs.
NMB Bank and Standard Chartered also made it to the second round with a match in hand. Former champion NMB thumped Morang Auto Works by 36 runs. NMB scored 82/1 as Rabindra Chand scored 36 runs and Mohan KC remained unbeaten on 33 runs. In reply, Morang Auto was restricted to 46 runs losing two wickets. Amit Thakur contributed 22 runs for Morang Auto.
Host Soaltee, the only non bank team to make it to the second round, overcame Janata Bank by 34 runs. Bikash Karna was unbeaten on 34 runs and Bivek Khadka contributed 26 runs as Soaltee posted 75 runs target losing one wicket. Janata was bowled out for 40 runs in 4.1 overs. Chinta Magar and Bivek Khadka claimed two scalps apiece.
Nabil defeated NIC bank by five wickets which also paved way for Century Bank to make it to next round with a match in hand. NIC made 65\\1 as Sujan Rai scored unbeaten 29 runs. But Nabil achieved its target with three balls to spare after Laxman Joshi remained unbeaten on 32 runs.
In other matches of the day, Indian Embassy defeated Bank of Kathmandu by four wickets, Citizen Bank edged past Surya Nepal by 27 runs, Siddhartha Bank saw off Nepal Investment Bank by six wickets and Kantipur Media Group saw off Sanima Bank by one wicket.
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