Cricket
Madhesh Province overcame the challenge of Lumbini Province by 92 runs to close in on the semi-finals of the Prime Minister's Cup National One-Day National Tournament on Saturday.
Madhesh, invited to bat first at the Mulpani Cricket Ground, posted a decent total of 259 runs in 48.4 overs. In reply, Lumbini were all out for 167 runs in 49.1 overs.
The win has put Madhesh in second place with four points, two behind Group B leaders Nepal Police who are already through to the last four. While tied on two points, Lumbini occupy third place on a better run rate from Province 1. Bagmati are at the bottom with no points.
Openers Santosh Karki and Harishankar Shah got Madhesh off to a flying start with a century stand. They put on 130 runs in 22.1 overs before Dev Khanal broke the partnership, getting Santosh caught by Sunil Bhandari on 50.
Madhesh captain Harishankar Shah scored 76 runs off 90 balls, studded with 13 fours and a six. He was trapped leg before by Anil Kharel to give Lumbini a faint hope of a comeback.
Anil Shah scored his second consecutive fifty, following up on 61 against Province 1. Bibek Yadav hit two sixes to make 21 from 38 balls, while Adil Alam made 12.
Krishna Karki was the peak of Lumbini bowlers with three wickets for 35 runs in eight overs. Anil Kharel took two wickets for 37 runs with a maiden in 9.4 overs. Mohammad Hussain, Basir Ahmed and Dev Khanal took one wicket each.
Lumbini began poorly, losing three wickets with just 21 runs on the board. Bishal KC was Lumbini’s top scorer with 34 runs off 51 balls. Sandeep Razali scored 23 off 27 balls and Bashir Ahmed scored 15 runs.
In the lower order, Krishna Karki scored 31 with four fours and a six from 54 balls, Anil Kharel scored 22 runs, and Mohammad Hussain scored 15.
For Madhesh, Rajesh Yadav and Pradeep Paswan both took three wickets each. Harishankar Shah picked up two giving away 25 runs with five maidens in 10 overs.
Sunday's matches:
Group A: Gandaki Province v Tribhuvan Army Clun at Mulpani Cricket Ground, Mulpani
Group B: Province 1 v Lumbini Province at TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
