Sports

Departmental side Armed Police Force made a flying start in the women’s cricket competition under the 9th National Games, beating Bagmati Province by four wickets in a Group A match on Tuesday.

In the T20 match held at the Pokhara Stadium, the APF completed the target of 90 runs presented by Bagmati on the first ball of the last over. Bagmati defeated Sudurpaschim in the first match and lost in the second match.

After being put into bat, Bagmati scored 89 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the scheduled 20 overs. National team player and captain Ashmina Akharay scored unbeaten 19 runs. Suman Khatiwada also added 19 runs before being trapped leg before by APF bowler Neri Thapa. Riding on her aggressive batting, Bagmati put on 32 runs in the power-play.

As many as four Bagmati players were run out, while APF bowlers gave away 20 runs in sundries. Indu Verma, Neri Thapa and Rekha Rawal took a wicket apiece for the APF.

In response, the APF were in deep trouble after losing three consecutive wickets with only 17 runs on the board. But Roma Thapa and Mamta Chaudhary steadied the APF ship, adding 32 runs for the fifth wicket which paved the way for their victory. 

But Roma Thapa brought the APF back into the game by adding 22 runs in 35 balls with the help of 1 boundary. Mamta Chaudhary supported him well. Mamta contributed 17 runs off 27 balls.

Bagmati bowler Suman Khatiwada removed both Roma and Mamta in the space of two overs. However, Neri Thapa anchored the APF home with 16 not out from 18 balls, as Rajmati Airi remained not out on four runs.

In the other Group A matches held earlier on the opening day, Madhesh Province defeated Gandaki Province by 40 runs and Bagmati registered an 8-wicket victory over Sudurpaschim. 

In Group B, a match between Province 1 and Lumbini was cancelled due to rain, while Nepal Police Club defeated Karnali Province by 63 runs under D/L method.