Sports

Nepal Police Club entered the semi-finals of women’s cricket competition under the ninth National Games after beating Lumbini Province by 97 runs. 

Nepal Police scored 112 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs after opting to bat first in the match held at the Pokhara Cricket Stadium on Friday. In reply, Lumbini were skittled out for 15 runs in 12.5 overs.

Police had a slow start, scoring just 50 runs for losing four wickets at the end of 14 overs. 

Lumbini bowlers made a good inroad into the Police innings. Kritika Marasini removed opener Kajal Shrestha in the second ball of the first over for one, and Manisha Rana claimed the prized wicket of captain Chhetri for five runs.

Spinner Madhu DC trapped Apsari Begum leg before for 10 runs. In the 13th over, Shobha Rokka was run out following poor communication with Samjhana, who was on strike.

Kamala was bowled for 29 runs on a full-toss ball from Ghartimagar. Fast bowler Sushmita Bhushal bowled Ishwari Bista for one and Sangita Rai for a duck.

But Police lower order batter Kavita Joshi showed urgency when she came to the middle. Riding on her aggressive batting, they added 62 runs in the remaining six overs. Joshi remained unbeaten on 48 runs off 29 balls with the help of seven fours and a six as Police posted a competitive total.

Bhushal and Manisha Rana both picked two wickets each. Madhu DC and Kamala took a wicket apiece.

Lumbini struggled against tight bowling attack of Nepal Police when they started the run chase. Captain Saraswati Ghartimagar scored 6 runs off 13 balls with 1 four for Lumbini. Ashma Pulami Magar scored 5 runs off 31 balls with a boundary.

Seven Lumbini batters failed to open their accounts. Police's left-arm bowler Ishwari Bista took four wickets in four overs with two maidens for two runs. Hiranmai Rai and Rubina Chhetri took two wickets apiece.