The sixth edition of the Prime Minister Cup Men’s National Tournament kicked off today with three exhilarating matches held across different venues, setting the stage for an action-packed cricket season.
Match 1: Bagmati Province vs Nepal Police Club
In the first encounter, Nepal Police Club chose to bat after winning the toss, facing an early setback at 72/5. However, a spectacular innings from the young Rashid Khan, scoring an unbeaten 106 off 112 balls, propelled them to a formidable total of 282 runs. Aarif Seikh’s valiant 57 further contributed to the total. Bagmati’s Rijan Dhakal and Surya Tamang took three wickets each, but it wasn’t enough as Bagmati, despite a promising start, lost the match by 68 runs. Ashutosh Ghiraiya’s blitzkrieg knock of 92 off 87 balls went in vain. Sagar Dhakal led Nepal Police Club’s bowling attack with three wickets, supported by Karan Kc, Rashid Khan, and Dipendra Singh Airee, who each claimed two wickets. Rashid Khan was named the Man of the Match for his outstanding all-round performance.
Match 2: Koshi Province vs Madhesh Province
In the second match featuring Koshi Province and Madhesh Province, Madhesh won the toss and opted to field, a decision that proved pivotal as they secured a comprehensive seven-wicket victory. The Madhesh bowlers made an immediate impact by taking an early wicket in the opening over, setting the tone for their dominant performance. Koshi struggled throughout their innings, losing wickets consistently. While Captain Ankit Subedi contributed 40 runs off 50 balls, and Firosh Ansari added 41 off 71 balls, no other batsman managed to reach double digits. Pradip Paswan emerged as the standout bowler for Madhesh, claiming three wickets, with Rajesh Yadav, Ranjit Kumar, and Pawan Sarraf taking two wickets each. In pursuit of the modest target, Madhesh adopted an aggressive approach, losing their first wicket in the 12th over with 83 runs on the board. Opener Anil Shah played an exceptional inning, scoring 88 runs off just 54 balls at a staggering strike rate of 162.96. Despite Sonu Mandal’s two-wicket spell in three overs and Sujan Thapaliya’s one wicket in two overs for Koshi, the remaining bowlers struggled to make an impact. Anil Shah was rightfully awarded the Man of the Match for his extraordinary performance.
Match 3: Gandaki Province vs Lumbini Province
In the third clash between Gandaki Province and Lumbini Province, Lumbini opted to field first, showcasing a brilliant start with the ball. Their bowlers executed an impressive display, limiting Gandaki to a mere 111 runs. Karan Pangeni emerged as the top scorer for Gandaki, contributing 28 runs off 62 balls. Lumbini’s Ajay Chauhan played a pivotal role with an exceptional five-wicket haul in just 8.4 overs, while all other bowlers chipped in with at least one wicket. During the chase, Lumbini commenced steadily, scoring 33 runs in the initial 10 overs. Although they faced some setbacks and lost wickets, the modest target allowed them to secure victory in 28.2 overs. Opener Mrinal Gurung was the highest run-scorer for Lumbini, accumulating 47 runs off 78 balls. Despite Gandaki’s Bipin Khatri and Kamal Pariyar taking three wickets each, Lumbini successfully crossed the finish line. Ajay Chauhan’s exceptional bowling performance rightfully earned him the Man of the Match accolade, showcasing his pivotal role in Lumbini’s triumph.
All three matches were won by the teams winning the toss, emphasizing the importance of the coin toss. As the tournament progresses, tomorrow’s clashes between Armed Police Force Club vs. Bagmati Province and Gandaki Province vs. Karnali Province promise more thrilling cricket action. The significance of the toss becomes increasingly apparent as teams aim to gain an early advantage in the upcoming games. Cricket enthusiasts can anticipate more intense battles and outstanding performances in the days to come.
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