Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) hands over player-of-the-match trophy to APF player Rubina Chhetri
Photo Courtesy: CAN
Armed Police Force (APF) pulled consecutive victory in the Wai Wai Women’s National T20 Cricket Tournament as it thrashed Region No 5 (Nepalgunj) by 53 runs at the Pokhara Satadium on Thursday. Meanwhile, Region No 1 (Biratnagar) pulled a thrilling 4-run victory over the host Region No 8 (Pokhara) at the Nagar Bikash Ground, Pokhara.
APF elected to bat and put up 91/5 in 20 overs. In reply, Nepalgunj was bowled out at 38 runs in 16.2 overs. Sita Rana Magar (34 runs off 64 balls) and Rubina Chhetri (15 runs off 14 balls) anchored the APF innings. Nepalgunj bowlers gave away 22 runs as extras, including 20 wides. Trishna Singh took two wickets for Nepalgunj.
Chasing the modest total, Nepalgunj, led by Nary Thapa, failed to resist APF bowling attack. Mamta Thapa (unbeaten 10 runs) was the only Nepalgunj batswoman to score in double-digits. Nepalgunj would have faced more humiliating defeat, had not APF bowled 10 extras.
Karuna Bhandari took three wickets for APF while Sonu Khadka and Sarita Magar claimed two wickets each. Magar, who had taken a hat-trick on Wednesday, bowled another magical spell. Her bowling figure against Nepalgunj was 2-0-0-2. APF’s Rubina Chhetri, who scored 15 runs and claimed a wicket, was adjudged player-of-the-match.
In another match of the day, Biratnagar elected to bat and put up 68/6 in 20 overs. Rashmi Chaulagain contributed 26 runs off 34 balls for Biratnagar while Pokhara bowled 23 extras. None of the other batswomen reached double-digit scores. Aarati Bidari and Pragya Pokharel claimed two wickets each.
In reply, Pokhara reached only 64/8 in 20 overs. Sushila Gurung (23 runs off 58 balls) and Pragya Pokhrel (15 runs off 32 balls) were the top contributors for Pokhara. Biratngar gave away 17 runs as extras. Neha Karki and player-of-the-match Rashmi Chaulagain took two wickets each.