In course of achieving third victory from as many matches played, APF thumped Region No 4 (Bhairahawa) by 183 runs at the TU ground, Kirtipur. [break]
Biratnagar inspired by an all-round performance of its skipper Manjeet Shrestha was off to a narrow one one-wicket win over Region No 6 (Baitadi) for its first win in the third match.
Chandra Sawad and Naresh Budhayer from region No.6 Baitadi run between the wickets. (Photo: Bijay Rai)
The win puts APF studded with 10 national players in its squad at the top of group A table with six points. Bhairahawa after playing its second match is in the third place with two points. Biratnagar with two defeats and a win is in fourth place with two points. Baitadi still looking for its first win hit the bottom of table remaining pointless.
In the match played at TU ground, Kirtipur, Subash Khakurel scored 56 runs and Gyanendra Malla 58 runs as APF posted a total of 276/7 in the limited over match. In reply, APF bundled out Bhairahawa for 93 runs in 35 overs as man-of-the-match Basanta Regmi pocketed four wickets.
Electing to bat first, opener Paresh Lohani (38) and Subash Khakurel gave a solid start to the departmental team playing 78 runs stand for the first wicket before Lohani was bowled by Lal Bahadur Adhikari in 10.2 overs. Khakurel bowled by Bivek Chaudhary hit seven fences in his 63 ball knock that included seven fences.
Gyanendra Malla (58), the highest scorer for APF, played 88 runs partnership for the fifth wicket with Basanta Regmi (32). Malla´s innings included five boundaries off 70 deliveries. Sunam Gautam (38) and Rom Shrestha (32) remained unbeaten. Shakti Gauchan (0), Sharad Vesawkar (7) and skipper Paras Khadka (3) were out cheaply.
Bivek Chaudhary was the most succesful bowler for Bhairahawa with four wickets in his name. Lal Bahadur Adhikari claimed two and Sushan Bhari had share in one wicket.
In Bhairahawa´s run chase, Faijur Rahman Khan (19), Nischal Chaudhary (18) and skipper Amit Shrestha (23) were the only batsman to score double figure which lost its wicket in regular interval.
APF´s Basanta Regmi gave away 20 runs in his seven over spell with a maiden over hauling four wickets. Sanjam Regmi, Amrit Bhattarai and Sunam Gautam picked two wickets apiece.
In the match played at Pulckhowk ground, skipper Manjeet Shrestha rescued Biratnagar which surpassed the target of 233 in 46.3 overs with one wicket to spare.
The man-of-the-match Shrestha claimed three wickers and remained unbeaten for 73 runs. Coming as eighth order batsman, skipper Shrestha, the man-of-the-match, hit six sixes and four boundaries facing 72 balls as Biratnagar was tottering at 113/7.
Biratnagar´s mid order batsmen -- Arjun Dhakal and Sunny Pun were out without scoring single runs while Bidhan Goshami was sent to pavilion for four runs.
Somesh Yadav (21) and Manoj Mandal (14) played 32 runs partnership for the first wicket. Pushpa Thapa (40), Mehboob Alam (19), Raj Kumar Pradhan (27) and Amit Dahal (13) contributed for Biratnagar.
Prem Tamang of Baitadi claimed three wickets while Yagya Man Kumal, Bhuwan Karki, Santosh Bhatta and Binod Bhandari claimed one scalp each.
Electing to bat first, Baitadi´s skipper Binod Bhandari failed one run sort of half century before being caught by Pushpa Thapa. Mahendra Chand (45), Bhuwan Karki (18), Naresh Budhayer (32), Chandra Sawad (16) and Prem Tamang (15) contributed in Baitadi´s respectable total that got 45 extra runs.
In his 10-over spell, Biratnagar skipper Shrestha gave away 38 runs with one maiden over. Amit Dahal, Raj Kumar Pradhan and Mehboob Alam claimed one wicket each.
Sunday´s matches
Pokhara Vs APF Club @ Kirtipur
Janakpur Vs Birgunj @ Pulchowk
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