By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Nepal APF Club lifted the title of Prime Minister Cup T20 National Cricket Championship on Wednesday with the help of outstanding performance by fast bowler Kishor Mahato and Amar Singh Rautela. APF defeated Nepal Police Club by 21 runs in the final held at TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur.
Police, who were chasing a target of 158 runs for victory, were restricted at 136 runs in 20 overs losing 7 wickets. Dipendra Singh Aire topscored for Police with 65 runs off 54 balls that included 3 boundaries and 2 sixes. Airee had received lifeline twice in the match. Wicketkeeper Asif Sheikh missed a chance to stump in the 10th over in Bhuvan Karki’s bowling. Airee had scored 27 runs at that time. He was lucky once again in the 13th over when Avinash Bohara dropped a catch when Airee had scored 39 runs.
Fast bowler Kishor Mahato sent opener Pawan Sarraf to the pavilion in his first ball. He took a total of 3 wickets in his four-over spell giving away 17 runs. Amar Singh Rautela, Avinash Bohora and Deepal Bohora took 1 wicket each.
Earlier, APF who were invited to bat first at the TU Cricket Ground after losing the toss, scored 157 runs losing all wickets in 19.5 overs. Tailender Amar Singh Rautela had scored 29 runs off 15 balls that included 2 fours and 3 sixes.
Dipendra Singh Airee took 3 wickets for Police giving away 22 runs in four overs while spinner Sagar Dhakal also took 3 wickets.
Winners APF bagged a purse of Rs 500,000 while second-placed police returned home with Rs 300,000. All seven provinces and three departmental teams had participated in the event held from January 10 to 19.
