Records come tumbling as Mahesh, Anil hit centuries in an innings

Departmental teams Army, APF to vie for title

KATHMANDU, March 23: Openers Mahesh Chhetri and Anil Mandal both scored a century each as Tribhuvan Army Club recorded a mammoth 118-run victory over Region no 6 (Baitadi) to reach Senior One Day National at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Monday.

Army will take on another heavyweight Armed Police Force (APF) Club, which registered a seven-wicket victory over Region no 2 (Birgunj) at the Pulchowk Engineering Ground, on Monday's summit clash.

REPUBLICA
KATHMANDU, March 23
Openers Mahesh Chhetri and Anil Mandal both scored a century each as defending champion Tribhuvan Army Club recorded a mammoth 118-run victory over Region no 6 (Baitadi) to reach Senior One Day National at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Monday.
Army will take on another heavyweight Armed Police Force (APF) Club, which registered a seven-wicket victory over Region no 2 (Birgunj) at the Pulchowk Engineering Ground, on Monday’s summit clash.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Army got off to a flying start with openers Mahesh and Anil laying the solid foundation after sharing a 247-run partnership for the opening wicket.
Mahesh and Anil broke different national records with their phenomenal batting. The figure of 247 runs is not only the highest partnership for any wickets but this was also the first time two centuries were completed in an innings.
The pair also held the previous highest partnership record of 215 runs, made against Janakpur in the same tournament.
With third century in the tournament, Anil also became the only player to hit three centuries in one tournament. He had also scored century against Janakpur (114) and Birgunj (113).
In total, this was Anil’s fourth century in a national tournament. No other player has scored three centuries.
Anil has already scored 414 runs so far and this is the highest run scored by any player in a single tournament.
His partner Mahesh has scored 384 runs so far in the tournament.
Hitting 14 fours and one six, Mahesh made 134 runs facing 143 balls while Anil scored 128 runs off 125 balls. Anil scored 15 fours in the process.
Player-of-the-match Mahesh reached his half-century in 78 balls and century in 124 balls as Anil just took 55 balls for his half century before completing his century in 103 balls.
Other following batsmen did not have to worry much as Army posted a challenging target of 330 runs at the loss of six wickets in 50 overs. Basanta Khatri bagged highest three wickets for Baitadi.
In response, Baitadi could only score 211 runs, losing all of its wickets in 36.2 overs. Prashant Bista (62 off 45) and Basant Khatri (53 off 30) scored half-centuries for Baitadi for a fighting defeat.
Sompal Kami was the pick of bowlers for Army with three wickets as Rahul Vishwakarma picked up two.
Meanwhile, winning the toss and inviting Birgunj to bat first, APF restricted the former to 134 runs, taking all wickets in 42.2 overs.
Anil Sah contributed highest 40 runs off 52 balls for Birgunj as Yagyaman Kumal and Basant Regmi picked up two wickets apiece for APF.
In response, APF achieved its target in the 18th over at the loss of three wickets. Opener Subash Khakurel quickfired 71 runs off 52 balls and Pradeep Airee scored 34 off 36.
Irshad Ahamad bagged two wickets for Birgunj.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Army got off to a flying start with openers Mahesh and Anil laying the solid foundation after sharing a 247-run partnership for the opening wicket.

Mahesh and Anil broke different national records with their phenomenal batting. The figure of 247 runs is not only the highest partnership for any wickets but this was also the first time two centuries were completed in an innings.

The pair also held the previous highest partnership record of 215 runs, made against Janakpur in the same tournament.

With third century in the tournament, Anil also became the only player to hit three centuries in one tournament. He had also scored century against Janakpur (114) and Birgunj (113).

In total, this was Anil's fourth century in a national tournament. No other player has scored three centuries.

Anil has already scored 414 runs so far and this is the highest run scored by any player in a single tournament.

His partner Mahesh has scored 384 runs so far in the tournament.

Hitting 14 fours and one six, Mahesh made 134 runs facing 143 balls while Anil scored 128 runs off 125 balls. Anil scored 15 fours in the process.

Player-of-the-match Mahesh reached his half-century in 78 balls and century in 124 balls as Anil just took 55 balls for his half century before completing his century in 103 balls.

Other following batsmen did not have to worry much as Army posted a challenging target of 330 runs at the loss of six wickets in 50 overs. Basanta Khatri bagged highest three wickets for Baitadi.

In response, Baitadi could only score 211 runs, losing all of its wickets in 36.2 overs. Prashant Bista (62 off 45) and Basant Khatri (53 off 30) scored half-centuries for Baitadi for a fighting defeat.

Sompal Kami was the pick of bowlers for Army with three wickets as Rahul Vishwakarma picked up two.

Meanwhile, winning the toss and inviting Birgunj to bat first, APF restricted the former to 134 runs, taking all wickets in 42.2 overs.

Anil Sah contributed highest 40 runs off 52 balls for Birgunj as Yagyaman Kumal and Basant Regmi picked up two wickets apiece for APF.

In response, APF achieved its target in the 18th over at the loss of three wickets. Opener Subash Khakurel quickfired 71 runs off 52 balls and Pradeep Airee scored 34 off 36.

Irshad Ahamad bagged two wickets for Birgunj.