Cricket

Lumbini Province have bagged their first points after a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Bagmati Province in the Prime Minister’s Cup National One-day Cricket Tournament.

In a Group B match held at the Mulpani Cricket Ground on Wednesday, Bagmati were bowled out for 154 runs in 38.1 overs after they won the toss and opted to bat first. Lumbini reached the target in 35.4 overs for the loss of two wickets.

The result has put Lumbini in second in Group B table with two points, while Bagmati are rooted at the bottom after their third successive defeat.

Skipper Gyanendra Malla top scored for Bagmati with 33 runs from 46 balls with four fours and one six.

Durgesh Thapa (32), Ashutosh Ghiraiya (22), Surya Tamang (17), Pratis GC (15) and Ramnaresh Giri (10) were the only other players to reach double figures.

Ishan Pandey and Prithu Baskota failed to open their account.

Lumbini’s slow left-arm bowler Anil Kharel picked up four wickets, giving away just 30 runs in his allotted 10 overs.

Aakash Tripathi and captain Dev Khanal opened the innings for Lumbini. Tripathi was dismissed early with just six runs on the board.

Prajwol Thapa entered the field and shared an 80-run partnership with Khanal. Thapa scored 29 off 42 balls with four fours before being dismissed in the 22nd over.

Khanal then shared a 69-run partnership with Sandeep Rajali to clinch Lumbini’s first victory. He remained not out on 77 with the help of eight fours and two sixes.

Lumbini will play against Madhesh on Saturday, while Bagmati will face Madhesh on Monday.