ITAHARI, JANUARY 20

Sudurpashchim Province and Province-I advanced to the final of the PM Cup Women's T20 National Cricket Tournament here at the Janata Cricket Park today.

Province-I thrashed Nepal APF Club by eight wickets, while Sudurpashchim defeated Madhesh Province by 114 runs in the semi-final matches. The final is slated for Saturday.

In the first semi-final match, Sudurpashchim amassed 180-2 in their allotted 20 overs before Madhesh were restricted for 66- 8. Sudurpashchim openers Bindu Rawal and Kabita Kunwar both scored half centuries as they put up 128 runs inside 16 overs. Kunwar top scored with a quick fire 70 off 54 balls that included 12 boundaries and a six.

Skipper Rawal and Kabita Joshi then added 52 runs for the second wicket. Skipper Rawal remained unbeaten on 52-ball 60 with the help of nine fours, while Joshi hit four fours and two sixes in her 15-ball 32. Sana Praveen and Bhumi Singh took one wicket each for Madhesh.

In reply, Madhesh batters failed to build partnerships and lost wickets at regular intervals.

Only three of them - Pratima Sah (19), Seema Kunwar (16) and Alisha Yadav (14) - contributed in double figures. Manisha Chaudhary and Ritu Kanoujiya took two wickets each for Sudurpashchim, while player-of-thematch Kabita Kunwar and Sneha Mahara grabbed one apiece.

In another match, APF were bowled out for a paltry 45 runs in 13.4 overs before Province-I raced to 46-2 with 66 balls to spare. Province-I skipper Rubina Chhetry scored 20 off 23 balls, while opener Kajal Shrestha and Apsari Began contributed nine runs each. Nary Thapa took a wicket for APF.

Earlier, skipper Sita Rana Magar was the lone batter to score in double figures for APF.

Rana Magar hit one each four and six in her four-ball 10. Indu Barma (seven) was the next batter for the departmental side.

Alisha Karki (3-9) and player-ofthe-match Sangita Rai (3-9) shared six wickets between them for Province-I, while Sabnam Rai grabbed 2-21.

A version of this article appears in the print on January 21, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.