KATHMANDU, Dec 23: Departmental team Armed Police Force (APF) and Central Region registered wins in men's Twenty20 cricket tournament that kicked off on Friday under Seventh National Games held in Biratnagar, Morang.
The APF team defeated Mid-Western Region by 26 runs while the Central Region overcame Eastern Region by four runs during the matches played at Baijanathpur.
In the first match, Sandeep Sunar starred for APF's win over Mid-Western Region. Sandeep scored 51 runs off 45 balls for the departmental team as it scored 145/4 at close after it was invited to bat first. He hit five fours in his knock before he was trapped leg before by Amar Routela.
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Pradeep Airee remained unbeaten on 29 runs facing 20 deliveries and skipper Paras Khadka contributed not out 26 runs from 17 deliveries. Prithu Baskota contributed 15 runs.
Amar of Mid-Western Region pocketed two wickets while Siddhanta Raj Shahi bagged one.
In the run chase, Mid-Western Region managed 119/6 at close. Pranit Thapa scored highest 40 runs for the team before he was bowled out by Paras. He hit four fences and a six in his knock of 33 balls.
Anupam Singh (21 runs), Amar Routela (14 runs) and Prajjwal Shahi (16 runs) were the other players for Mid-Western Region to contribute in double digit.
Skipper Paras was the peak of APF bowling with three wickets under his belt in his four over spell that included a maiden over. He gave away 12 runs.
In second match of the day, electing to bat first, Central Region scored 120/9 at close and restricted Eastern Region at 116/9.
Middle order Jitendra Thakuri contributed 31 runs off 37 deliveries for Central Region. Aschal Chaudhary (27 runs off 36 balls), Rashid Khan (21 runs off 11 balls) and Hasim Ansari (16 runs off 20 balls) were other major contributors for the team.
Firdos Ansari of Eastern Region claimed two wickets.
In the run chase, Minash Thapa contributed highest 17 runs for Eastern Region. Skipper Pushpa Thapa and talisman Bivek Yadav (not out) scored 13 runs each. Raj Thapa (12 runs) was the other batsman to contribute in double digit.
Rupesh Shrivastav of Central Region was the peak of bowling with four wickets under his belt. He conceded 19 runs in his four-over spell.