Eastern enter semi-finals

Dhangadhi, February 23

Eastern Region thrashed Mid-western by 98 runs and advanced to the semi-finals of the Prime Minister Cup Women’s National Cricket Tournament here at the Fapla cricket grounds today. Opting to bat first, Eastern posted 134-5 in their allotted 20 overs and bowled Mid-western for a paltry 36 runs inside 19th over. Eastern finished as Group B runners-up. Nepal APF Club had already finished as Group B winners.

Eastern posted a mammoth total riding on Kajol Shrestha’s 42 runs and national cricket team skipper Rubina Chhetri’s 41 runs. Shrestha and Chhetri shared 68-run partnership for the third wicket. Similarly, Roma Thapa contributed 25 runs.

Mid-western’s Anupama Giri, former national team skipper Nary Thapa and Saya Basnet picked up one wicket each.

In reply, Mid-western were packed cheaply as their batters failed to score in double figures. Eastern’s Rubina Chhetri, Anupama Chaudhary and Sangam Tamang took two wickets each. Chhetri was named the player-of-the-match.

Meanwhile, Central, who had already made it to the last four, defeated Far-western by 12 runs and topped Group A. Despite the defeat, Far-western finished as group runners-up.

Batting first, Central scored 105-7 before they restricted Far-western to 93-3.

Central posted the fighting total after Sita Shrestha scored 23 runs and Ashmita Kharel contributed 22 runs. Far-western’s Kabita Joshi claimed four wickets, while Kabita Kunwar and Laxmi Saud picked up one wicket each.

Later, Far-west failed to achieve the target despite Kabita Joshi scoring 39 runs. Kabita Kunwar added 22 runs. Central’s Sita Shrestha was named the player-of-the-match. On Saturday, Central will take on Eastern, while APF will face Far-west in the semi-final matches.