By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Nepal APF Club stormed into the final of the Prime Minister Cup T20 National Cricket Championship on Tuesday riding on superb batting performance by Lokesh Bam and Aasif Sheikh.
APF saw off Tribhuvan Army Club by 47 runs to fix the final date against Nepal Police Club.
Army, who were chasing a massive target of 231 runs for victory, made just 183 runs in 20 overs losing 9 wickets. Army’s Rajesh Pulami scored the maximum 38 runs off 21 balls which included 1 boundary and four sixes.
Sharad Vesawkar of APF took three wickets in four overs giving away 16 runs. Bhuvan Karki and Avinash Bohara took two wickets each while Deepak Bohora and Kishor Mahato took one wicket apiece.
Earlier, APF who were invited to bat first after losing the toss scored 230 runs in 20 overs losing just 2 wickets at the TU Cricket Ground. APF opener Aasif Sheikh scored quickfire 84 runs off 43 balls which included 10 fours and 5 sixes. Lokesh Bam was also impressive with the bat scoring 68 runs off 18 balls which included 2 boundaries and 9 sixes. He was able to reach the mark of half century in 14 balls. It is the first time any batsman reached that mark in domestic T20 matches of Nepal. Pradeep Airee remained not out on 57 runs. Openers Airee and Sheikh played a 150 run partnership for the first wicket to help APF make a respectable score.
Army’s Jitendra Mukhiya and Sumit Shrestha took a wicket each.
In the first semifinal, Nepal Police Club had defeated Bagmati Province by 50 runs to secure their place in the final. The final will be played on Wednesday.
