The Prime Minister (PM) Cup Men’s National Cricket Tournament commenced today on January 13, a Saturday. The 50-over competition began concurrently at three different locations: TU Cricket Ground and Mulpani Cricket Ground in Kathmandu, as well as Siddhartha Cricket Stadium in Bhairahawa.
Ten teams (seven provinces and three departmental sides) will compete in the tourney which will be played from 13th January to 3rd February. Here’s what happened in the first Day:
Nepal Police Club vs Bagmati Province – Kirtipur
NPC: 282/8 (50 overs)
Bagmati: 214/10 (42.3 overs)
NPC won by 68 runs
NPC were down to 72/5 after electing to bat first. However, Aarif Sheikh and Rashid Khan shared 120 runs for the sixth wicket before Aarif departed for 57 (66 balls). Rashid went on to score the first century of the tournament and remained unbeaten for 106 from 112 balls with nine fours and six sixes. Surya Tamang (9-0-50-3) and Rijan Dhakal (10-0-54-3) were the pick of bowlers for Bagmati.
Bagmati’s opener yielded a perfect start and the rest of the batters couldn’t capitalize. Ashutosh Ghiraiya and Ishan Pandey (44) added 96 runs for the first wicket. Ghiraiya made 92 runs from 87 balls with nine fours and four sixes. The rest of the batters didn’t do any special. Sagar Dhakal picked up three wickets whereas Rashid Khan, DS Airee and Karan KC pocketed two wickets each.
Koshi Province vs Madhesh Province – Mulpani
Koshi: 127/10 (41 overs)
Madhesh: 129/3 (20.1 overs)
Madhesh won by 7 wickets
Madhesh wrapped up Koshi for just 127 after forcing them to bat first. Only Ankit Subedi (40) and Firdosh Ansari (41) managed to cross double-digit scores. Pradip Paswan (7-1-15-3), Ranjit Kumar (10-0-23-2) and Pawan Sarraf (8-2-26-2) were the star bowlers.
Madhesh chased the target in just 20.1 overs losing three wickets. Anil Sah whacked 88 runs from 54 balls which included 14 fours and three sixes.
Gandaki Province vs Lumbini Province – Bhairahwa
Gandaki: 111/10 (34.4 overs)
Lumbini: 113/6 (28.2 overs)
Lumbini won by 4 wickets
Asked to bat first, Gandaki were bundled out for a mere total. Lumbini’s Ajay Chauhan bagged the first fifer (8.4-2-16-5) of the tournament to dismantle Gandaki. Karan Pangeni (28) scored the highest run for Lumbini.
Lumbini chased the target in 28.2 overs. Mrinal Gurung (47) and Md Hussain (18-ball 21) were the stars in batting. Bipin Khatri and Kamal Pariyar’s three-wicket haul each were not enough for Gandaki.
