Arjun Kumal's century set up Gandaki Province's 39-run win over Koshi Province in Match 27 of the PM Cup at Narayani Cricket Ground, Birgunj.
Gandaki chose to bat first and recovered from an early wobble to post 227 for 7 in 50 overs. Arjun anchored the innings with 102 off 141 balls, hitting eight fours. He found strong support from captain Bipin Khatri, who stayed unbeaten on 76 from 86 balls and struck six fours and two sixes.
Gandaki were 134 for 6 at one stage, but Arjun and Bipin rebuilt the innings and then accelerated late. Their stand lifted the side past 200 and gave them a defendable total after a difficult first half of the innings.
For Koshi, Dipesh Kandel was the standout bowler with 4 for 18 in 10 overs. Sujan Thapaliya and Rohan Shah took one wicket each, but the rest of the attack struggled to stop Gandaki's recovery.
In reply, Koshi were kept in the game by Dipesh, who followed up his bowling effort with an unbeaten 52 off 73 balls. Ashish Magar added 30, while Suman Shrestha made 20 and Sonu Ansari scored 18. But Koshi lost wickets at regular intervals and never built the big partnership needed in the chase.
Cibrin Shrestha led Gandaki's bowling effort with 3 for 35, while Subash Bhandari and Aparajit Paudel took two wickets each. Bipin Khatri and Kamal Pariyar also chipped in with one wicket as Koshi finished on 188 for 9.
Arjun was named Player of the Match for his match-defining century, which laid the platform for Gandaki's first win of the campaign.
