DANG, DECEMBER 31

Gandaki Province were dismissed for a paltry seven runs on their way to facing a humiliating 140-run defeat against Province-1 in the Sagarmatha Cement PM Cup Women’s National Cricket Tournament here today.

Chasing a target of 148 runs, Gandaki batters lasted eight overs before being all out for seven runs —the all time lowest in national cricket tournaments.

The team total included three extra runs with just four coming from the bat. Kusum Godar and Soniya Thapa scored two runs each, while eight other batters failed to open their accounts.

Sangita Rai and Sabnam Rai shared nine wickets between them, while Apsari Begam claimed one. Player of the match Sangita returned with 5-3 from four overs, whereas Sabnam took 4-3 from three overs.

Earlier, Province-1 amassed 147-1 in their allotted 20 overs, riding on half centuries from Kajal Shrestha and Roma Thapa. Opener Shrestha carried her scoring 57-ball 52 that included four boundaries, while Thapa struck eight fours in her 49-ball 51.

Skipper Rubina Chhetri scored 15 off 17 balls hitting three fours before being caught by her counterpart Shila Chhetri off Kusum Godar.

With their third straight victory, Province-1 topped Group B with six points and will face Group A runners-up Lumbini in the semi-finals.

Sudurpashchim Province advanced to the last four as Group B runners-up and they will play against Group A winners Nepal APF Club for a place in the final.

In the winners-take-all encounter which was reduced to 11-over-a-side due to adverse weather condition, Sudurpashchim defeated Bagmati by 28 runs. Batting first, Sudurpashchim posted 76-4 before restricting Bagmati to 48-9.

Dolly Bhatta top scored for Sudurpashchim with an unbeaten on 28 off 14 balls that included two each fours and sixes, while opener Kabita Kunwar scored 30-ball 19 hitting a four.

Kabita Joshi contributed run-a-ball 12 with the help of a six. Aarati Bidari was the pick of the Bagmati bowlers taking 3-13 from two overs, while Nisha Tamang claimed a wicket.

In reply, Suman Khatiwada fought a lonely battle for Bagmati but she failed to avert the defeat. Khatiwada scored 27 off 28 balls hitting four boundaries, while Binda Katwal (seven) was the next best contributor.

Kabita Joshi completed the five-wicket haul taking 5-10 from two overs, Kabita Kunwar, Ritu Kanoujiya and Laxmi Saud pocketed one wicket each.