Kathmandu, July 24

Nepal APF Club advanced to the final of the Women’s National Cricket Selection Tournament here at the Tribhuvan University Stadium today.

APF defeated Mid-western Region by nine wickets for their second straight victory. APF accumulated four points in the three-team pool, while Mid-western and Central are yet to open their accounts in Group A. They will play against Pool B winners, either Eastern or Far-western Region, who have two points each with one match to play.

Put in to bat first, Mid-western Region scored 64-8 in their allotted 20 overs before APF raced to 65-1 in 11.2 overs. APF openers Jyoti Pandey and Sita Rana Magar put on 44 runs inside eight overs before the latter was run out. Rana Magar scored 27 off 26 balls that included five boundaries. Sarita Magar joined Pandey at the crease and the duo took home safely without further loss. Wicketkeeper Pandey remained unbeaten on 23 off 29 balls hitting two fours, while Magar was not out on four.

Earlier, Laxmi Chaudhary top scored for Mid-western Region with 22 off 44 balls that included a four, while former national team skipper Nary Thapa (11) was the only other batter to contribute in double digit. Ritu Kanojiya was the pick of the APF bowlers taking 3-12, while Karuna Bhandari and player-of-the-match Sita Rana Magar claimed two wickets each. Binu Budhamagar also got a wicket.

In another match, Far-western defeated Western Region by eight wickets. Batting first, Western scored 91-3 in 20 over and Far-western reached 94-2 with one over to spare. Roshani Bohara remained unbeaten on 36 off 49 balls hitting two fours and a six, while Kabita Joshi scored run-a-ball 25 not out that included three boundaries. Skipper Rekha Rawal struck two fours in her 31-ball 22. Indu Barma and Sarswati Pun took one wicket each for Western.

Earlier, Western Region skipper Barma top scored in the innings with 43 off 55 balls hitting three fours, while opener Barsa Rana remained unbeaten on 33 off 57 balls. Kabita Joshi took a wicket for Far-western Region. Roshani Bohara of Far-western Region was named the player-of-the match. The match between Western and Far-western Region on Monday will decide the winner of Pool B.