In a thrilling showdown at the Tribhuvan International Cricket Ground, the Armed Police Force (APF) emerged victorious in the Prime Minister’s Cup Women’s T20 final, defeating Koshi Province by 11 runs.
Opting to bat first, APF posted a challenging total of 115 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Indu Barma played a crucial knock, scoring an impressive half-century with 53 runs off 47 balls, including six boundaries and a six. Opening batter Jyoti Pandey contributed 27 runs, while Roma Thapa added 14 runs.
Apsari Begam, a key player from Koshi Province, created history by claiming a hat-trick in the first innings, becoming the first player to achieve this feat in the Prime Minister’s Cup 2080. Begam’s exceptional bowling performance left the opposition stalled in the last over of the innings.
The hat-trick by Begam was a turning point in the match, sending back Indu Barma, Nary Thapa, and Sonu Khadka in consecutive deliveries. Her impressive spell, coupled with Alisha Khadiya’s two wickets, restricted APF to a chasable score.
Koshi Province, in pursuit of 116 runs, faced a formidable challenge from the APF bowlers. Despite a valiant effort by Koshi Province captain Rubina Chhetry, who played a brilliant innings scoring 62 runs off 58 balls, including seven boundaries and a six, her dismissal in the final over hampered Koshi’s chances of victory.
In the end, APF held their nerve, securing the win and the Prime Minister’s Cup Women’s T20 title. This victory adds another feather to APF’s cap, further solidifying their dominance in women’s cricket in Nepal.
The outstanding performances by Indu Barma with the bat was pivotal in APF’s success. The Prime Minister’s Cup 2080 has witnessed intense competition, showcasing the rising talent and competitiveness in women’s cricket across the provinces.
The players and teams now shift their focus to future tournaments, carrying the experience and lessons learned from the Prime Minister’s Cup as they continue to contribute to the growth of women’s cricket in Nepal.
Best Players of the Tournament
The tournament recognized exceptional talent, with Jyotsnika Marasini from Gandaki earning the title of the Emerging Player. She scored 91 runs with a half century in the tournament. Her stellar contributions throughout the competition showcased promise for the future of Nepali women’s cricket.
The Best Bowler award went to Puja Mahato of Madhesh, who consistently demonstrated remarkable bowling skills, troubling opposition batters and making a significant impact on the field. She took 12 wickets in the tournament with an economy of just 3.62.
Suman Khatiwada from Gandaki stood out as the Best Batter of the tournament, displaying exceptional batting prowess and contributing substantially to her team’s success. She was brilliant in the tournament scoring 212 runs at an average of 70.66 and Strike Rate of 121.14.
The Player of the Tournament honor was bestowed upon Rubina Chhetri from Koshi, acknowledging her outstanding all-around performances that played a pivotal role in her team’s journey in the competition. She scored 345 runs and took 11 wickets throught the tournament.
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