Province Number 1 set up summit clash with Armed Police Force

Asked to bowl first, Karuna Bhandari gave APF the first breakthrough dismissing Kabita Kunwar (nine) in the seventh over with just 18 runs on board. She returned back again in her next to pick up Rewati Dhami for 12 just a ball after Ritu Kanoujiya was run out for four.

With her Sudur Paschim Province reeling at 31 for 3, Kabita Joshi took up the responsibility on her herself with a fighting unbeaten 22 but ran out of partners at the other end as they lost the next three wickets for just 11 runs to put more misery on the downfall.

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Sudur Paschim Province finished at 60 for 7 in 16 overs after the match was reduced by four overs due to a delayed start. Bhandari finished with 3/11. In reply, Jyoti Pandey (26 not out) and Sarita Magar (19 not out) led APF home with one over to spare losing just one wicket.

In the other semi-final of the day, Province Number 1 humiliated Lumbini Province by 10 wickets to book the final slot in Sunday’s (January 3) final. Batting first, Lumbini Province lacked communication as five run outs were seen during their innings.

Saraswati GM was the first one to go before Gita Gosai followed suit. Ngima Tamang (2/12) put more pressure on the opposition with a double strike in the fifth over dismissing Laxmi Chaudhary and skipper Nary Thapa. With wickets kept on tumbling at the other end, Nitu Bhandari tried her park with a 30-ball 21 but couldn’t resist much before being run out.

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Incidentally, Bhandari is the only player to score a double-digit as none of the other could go past the 10-run mark with Lumbini Province all out for 52 in 14.1 overs. In reply, Kajal Shrestha (22 not out) and skipper Rubina Chhetri (26 not out) helped Province Number 1 set up a final date with APF.

Brief scores:

Lumbini Province: 52 all out in 14.1 overs (Nitu Bhandari 21; Ngima Tamang 2/12) lost to Province Number 1 55/0 in 8.5 overs (Rubina Chhetri 26) by 10 wickets.

Sudur Paschim Province 60/7 in 16 overs  (Kabita Joshi 22*; Karuna Bhandari 3/11) lost to Armed Police Force 61/1 in 15 overs (Jyoti Pandey 26*, Sarita Magar 19*) by nine wickets.