DANG, DECEMBER 29

Sudurpashchim Province and Province-1 made winning starts in the Sagarmatha Cement PM Women’s National Cricket League here today.

In the Group B matches, Sudurpashchim defeated Gandaki Province by 59 runs, while Province-1 registered a 46-run victory over Bagmati Province at the proposed Deukhuri International Cricket Ground in Lamahi.

In the day’s first match, Sudurpashchim were bowled out for 107 runs in 19.3 overs before restricting Gandaki to 48- 6. Player of the match Rewati Dhami top scored for Sudurpashchim with 27 off 36 balls that included two fours, while skipper Bindu Rawal scored 23-ball 13. Opener Manju Baskota (10) was the other batter who contributed in double figures. Sristi Poudel and Alisha Lamichhance shared six wickets between them, while Anjali Boshowkarma, Kusum Godar and Jyotsnika Marasini bagged a wicket each for Gandaki.

In reply, none of the Gandaki batters could score in double figures although they survived for full 20 overs. Sristi Poudel (eight) was the top scorer, while Jyotsnika Marasini and Kusum Godar remained unbeaten on six and five runs respectively.

Sunita Luhar took 2-9 from three overs for Sudurpashchim, while Kabita Kunwar, Ritu Kanoujiya and Laxmi Saud claimed one wicket each.

In another match, Province-1 scored 106-5 in their allotted 20 overs before packing Bagmati for 60 runs with 20 balls to spare. After Kajal Shrestha was dismissed for a duck in the first ball of the innings, skipper Rubina Chhetry and Roma Thapa (four) added 46 runs for the second wicket.

Chhetry then dominated another partnership, a 36-run stand with Lakita Rajbanshi (four) for the third wicket. The national team skipper completed her half century scoring run-a-ball 55 with the help of six boundaries and that also earned her the player-of-thematch-award.

Apsari Begam struck a six in her unbeaten 16 off 13 balls, while Ngima Tamang remained unbeaten on five.

Aarati Bidari took 2-18 for Bagmati, while Krishma Gurung, Asmina Karmacharya and Nisha Tamang bagged one each.

In reply, only two batters could score in double figures for Bagmati. Wicketkeeper Kanchan Shrestha scored 13 off 28 balls, while Suman Khatiwada hit a six in her 16-ball 12. Ngima Tamang was the pick of the Province-1 bowlers taking 3-12 from three overs, while Apsari Begam claimed 2-3 from her one-over spell.

Sabnam Rai, Alisha Khadiya and Nisha Shah pocketed one wicket each.