Kathmandu, May 30

Hari hadur Chauhan scored a century and claimed hat-trick as Province 4 thrashed Province 1 by 129 runs in the Prime Minister Cup One Day Cricket Tournament here at the TU Stadium today.

Electing to bat first, Province4 scored 310-7 in their allotted 50 overs before Province1 were packed for 181 in 35 overs after Chauhan took hat-trick in the last three balls of the innings.

Province4 made a slow start and they were 73-4 inside 17 overs after Anil Gurung (seven), SantoshNeupane (seven), AakashThapa (19) and skipper BidhanShrestha (four) were dismissed cheaply. Chauhan and ManzilNeupane, who scored 28 off 43 balls hitting four boundaries, consolidated the innings with a 56-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Chauhan then combined with Suma Ghimire to add 136 runs for the sixth wicket to take the match away from Province1. Chauhan struck eight boundaries and a six in his 115-ball 100, while Ghimire scored a quick fire 83 off 53 balls that included six fours and as many sixes.

BipinKhatri, who struck two each fours and sixes in his nine-ball 23, and AmritGurung (five) added 28 runs for the unbroken eighth wicket. PuspaThapa and SandeepDhungana took two wickets each for Province1.

In reply, SandeepDhungana fought the lonely battle for Province1. He top scored for the team with 77 off just 55 balls hitting nine fours and three sixes. RajanMagar (10), MinashThapa (19), Firdosh Ansari (13) and SarwanYadav (19 not out) all got starts but failed to convert them into big knocks.

Chauhan, who had made the breakthrough reducing Province1 to 9-1 after bowling out Ravi Roy (two) in the second over, cleaned up the tail with three wickets in as many balls. He had Firdosh Ansari (13) caught by wicketkeeper and skipper BidhanShrestha in the fourth ball of the 35th over, while Chauhan trapped Manoj Tamang (naught) in the next ball and clean bowled AvyashTimishina in the last ball to finish off the match.

Man-of-the-match Chauhan returned with the figures of 4-19 from five overs, while BipinKhatri and RajuGurung pocketed two wickets each. GovindaPradhan and SandeepNeupane claimed one wicket apiece.

After the first victory of Province4, all four teams have now two points each in Group A, with Nepal APF Club leading the table on superior net run rate. Province4 are second, followed by Province2 and Provinc1. Tribhuvan Army Club are yet to begin their campaign.

In the day’s another match at the Mulpani grounds, Province7 and Province5 shared points after rain washed out their game. The match was reduced to 38-over-a-side due to delayed start because of the wet outfield and Province7 had reached 19-2 in eight overs before rain stopped the match.

Umpires Sanjay Sigdel and Kamalesh Thakur along with match referee Sameer Khan called off the match as play was not possible on the soggy field and the teams earned one point each. Province7 are at the top of the table with three points, while Nepal Police Club and Province5 have two points each. Province5 opened their accounts today, while Province6 (Karnali) are at the bottom with two defeats in as many matches in Group B.