Sports
Nepal Police Club defeated Armed Police Force by five runs on Tuesday to lift the women’s cricket title in the ninth National Games.
The match played at Pokhara Stadium saw Nepal Police Club win the toss and elect to bat first.
Kajal Shrestha and Kabita Kunwar opened the innings for NPC. Kunwar scored 11 runs in 15 balls before being bowled by Nary Thapa in the fifth over.
Samjhana Khadka was the second batter to return to the pavilion. She made 21 off 25 balls before being out-caught by Rajmati Airee.
Opening batsman Kajal did not last long either, as she was run out by Rekha Rawal. Kajal was the match's top scorer, racking up 27 runs from 55 balls.
Captain Rubina Chhetri was the next NPC batter to fall, managing just eight runs from 13 balls.
A late cameo of 13 runs from 10 balls by Kabita Joshi helped the NPC side reach 89-4 at the end of their 20 overs.
In reply, APF made a stuttering start, as both openers Jyoti Pandey and Sita Rana Magar fell cheaply, making seven runs each. Pandey was run out, and Magar was out caught.
Roma Thapa and Rajamati Airee were the only players for APF to reach double figures, with Thapa scoring 26 off of 19 balls and Airee getting 12 off of 12 balls.
But the late blitzkrieg efforts were insufficient to take APF across the line as they were restricted to 84-7 at the end of their 20 overs – falling short by five runs.
Bagmati score seven-wicket victory over Lumbini
Bagmati Province put off the challenge of Gandaki by seven wickets to win the bronze medal in the women's cricket tournament under the ninth National Games in a play-off at Pokhara Stadium, on Tuesday.
After put into bat, Lumbini Province scored 87 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. Bagmati successfully chased the 88-run target in 16.1 overs, losing three wickets.
Suman Khatiwada made the highest contribution to Bagmati with an unbeaten 41 runs from 21 balls, hitting a six and six fours. Asmita Kharel scored 20 runs, Anisha Mazakoti made 10 not out and Kanchan Shrestha (10). Lumbini bowler Kritika Marasini took two wickets and Sushmita Bhushal took a wicket.
Earlier, Saraswati GM top scored with 30 runs for Lumbini, but other batters failed to reach double figures.
Bipisha Shahi spearheaded the Bagmati attack, snaring four wickets. Complementing Shahi from the other end, Khushi Dangol grabbed three wickets, while Soni Pakhrin took two.
