Cricket

Nepal Police Club recorded a second consecutive win in the Prime Minister's Cup National One-Day Cricket Tournament, beating Province 1 by seven wickets in a Group B tie at the Mulpani Cricket Ground on Monday. 

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Pradesh 1 were all out for 102 runs in 35.1 overs as Nepal Police spinner Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi claimed five wickets.

NPC chased down the target of 103 runs losing three wickets in 14 overs. 

The police suffered an early hiccup when opener Sunil Dhamala was dismissed without scoring. But another opener, Kushal Bhurtel, and Shankar Rana put on 69 runs for the second wicket to lay the foundation for Nepal Police victory.

Bhurtel scored 42 runs off 28 balls with five fours and three sixes, while Rana made 29. Dipendra Singh Airey, a century-maker in the team’s victory over Bagmati on Sunday, remained unbeaten on 14 runs and Rashid Khan on 16. 

Firod Ansari and Siddhant Lohani took one wicket each for Province 1.

Earlier, Pradesh 1 made a promising start, with openers Niraj Mukhiya and Ankit Subedi putting on 56 runs in 11.1 overs. 

They were seemingly heading for a big score with Mukhiya playing on 29 runs with five fours and Subedi on 24 with the help of four fours. 

But the introduction of spinner Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi triggered Pradesh 1 collapse, as they were bowled out after adding 46 runs.

He bowled Mukhiya, and the rest of the batters followed suit without much resistance. 
Captain Siddhant Lohani and Sujan Thapalia returned without scoring, Minash Thapa 4, Sonu Ansari 6, Firdos Ansari and Shrawan Yadav all failed to reach double figures. It was only because of Bibekanand Mehta’s 17 runs from 46 balls that they could cross the 100-run mark.

Rajbanshi claimed five wickets with three maidens, giving away 26 runs in 10 overs. Sagar Dhakal and Dipendra Singh Airey took two wickets each, while Rashid Khan took one wicket.