Bagmati defeated Far West while Gandaki beat Province 1 on the fourth day of Prime Minister Cup National Cricket Tournament on Monday.
Prithu Baskota missed out on a deserved century at TU Stadium in Kirtipur as Bagmati scored 299 for the loss of 9 wickets after being asked to bat first. Former Nepal U19 skipper Baskota scored 84 runs off 94 balls that included 10 fours and 2 sixes.
Baskota and opener Aadil Khan put 109 runs for the third wicket as Bagmati continued their rich run of form. Aadil scored 63 runs off 86 balls with 10 fours. Earlier Akash Thapa (12) and Paras Khadka (20) could not convert their starts. Skipper Gyanendra Malla (32), Ishan Pandey (17) and Bipin Acharya (32) contributed late on.
Far West had the worst of starts as they lost three wickets in the first over. Gajendra Bohora was trapped Leg before on the second ball to Ramnaresh Giri. Arun Airee followed Bohora to the pavilion on the next ball after edging back to the keeper. Sanju Damai was next to go three balls later as he nicked off to the keeper.
Khadak Bohora lasted only three balls as he felt victim of Deepesh Shrestha. Skipper Santosh Bhatta was trapped lbw in the third over as Far West were reduced to 4-5. Arjun Saud and Kiran Thagunna then made a 59 runs partnership for the sixth wicket.
Saud, who played fearless from ball one hit 3 sixes and a four in his 31 ball 28 runs. Kiran scored 24 runs off 45 balls. Narayan Joshi was the only positive for far west as the young pacer smashed five sixes and a four in his 29 ball 44.
In the Mulpani ground, Gandaki secured a nervy 2 wicket victory over Province 1. Province 1 were bundled for 102 runs in just 27.4 overs after Bishal Paudel grabbed a hattrick. Subash Bhandari took 4 wickets along with Paudel to reduce province 1. Skipper Siddhant Lohani (24) was the only big contributor.
In reply, Gandaki lost 2 quick wickets of Rahul Upadhyay (duck) and Sameer Kandel (1) but Arjun Kumal and Deepak Dumre saved the fall. They put on 55 runs for third wicket before Arjun was run out. 15 year old Kumal scored 35 runs with 4 boundaries.
Deepak soon followed Arjun back to pavilion scoring identical runs. The wicket kept falling in regular interval but Avishek Thapa made sure the victory was confirmed with 13 not out off 40 balls.
On Tuesday, Lumbini and Province 2 will face-off at the TU Stadium while Gandaki will take on Karnali at Mulpani Ground.
