Farwest earn consolation victory

Kathmandu, June 4

Farwest Province defeated Gandaki Province by four wickets to register their first victory in the Expert Prime Minister Cup One Day Cricket Tournament here at the Mulpani grounds today.

In a match between already eliminated teams, Gandaki Province were bowled out for a paltry 89 runs in 20.4 overs after electing to bat first. In reply, Farwest reached 93-6 with 124 balls to spare. With the win, Farwest ended the campaign with three points, while Gandaki faced defeats in all four matches.

Province-3 topped Group A on better net run rate after being tied on six points with Nepal APF Club, while Province-5 became the third team to make an early exit from the pool. In Group B, departmental sides Nepal Police Club and Tribhuvan Army Club finished first and second respectively to make it to the semi-finals, while Province-2, Province-1 and Karnali were eliminated.

Group A winners Province-3 will face TAC in the first semi-final match at the TU Stadium on Wednesday, while APF will face Group B winners NPC for a place in the final on Thursday. The final is slated for Saturday at the TU Stadium.

On Tuesday, Rahul Sharma top scored for Gandaki with 41 off 49 balls hitting four boundaries and a six, while Kishore Mahato (14) and Antim Thapa (12) were the only other two batsmen to contribute in double figures. Gandaki batsmen failed to build partnership as they lost the last six wickets for 33 runs in 45 balls.

Binod Lama of Farwest was the chief destroyer taking 5-25 from six overs and he was ably supported by Mahesh Adhikari (2-18) and skipper Sher Malla (2-17). Narendra Saud also grabbed a wicket. Lama was named the man of the match for his five-wicket haul.

Farwest were reduced to 33-6 despite chasing a low target with only Lokesh Bam scoring in double figures. Bam, who came at the crease with the team total of 1-1 after Kishore Mahato dismissed Khadak Bohara in the second ball of the innings, scored 15 off 33 balls hitting two fours.

Farwest came under pressure after losing three wickets at the score of 32 in the space of 18 balls.

But Narendra Saud and Akash Chand took the team home without further loss adding 60 runs for the unbroken seventh wicket.

Saud remained unbeaten on 23 off 42 balls that included two fours, while Chand struck two each fours and sixes in his 34-ball 29 not out.

Mahato returned with 3-23 from eight overs, while Bipin Khatri took 2-26 and Dipesh Shrestha grabbed a wicket for Gandaki.

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