KATHMANDU, May 27: The departmental team Tribhuvan Army Club has clinched the Ruslan Karnali Premier League title with a 37-run victory over Rupandehi XI on Saturday.
In the final match played at the Surkhet Stadium, Rupandehi won the toss and invited Army to bat first. Army presented a target of 132 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs. In reply, Rupandehi failed to chase the target losing all their wickets for 95 runs in 17.5 overs.
The opening batsman Sagar Pun hit the most 38 runs off 39 balls with a six and four boudaries for Army, while Binod Bhandari chipped in with 28 runs. Rajesh Pulami also added 22 runs for the winning team.
Chauhan, bowlers inspire Army to win KPL title
Bikash Shrestha was the pick of the Rupandehi bowlers as he pocketed three wickets giving away 21 runs in his quota of four overs. Similarly, Bashir Ahmed, Bikram Bhushal and Sandip Sunar took a wicket each for the losing side.
Rupandehi’s Nischal Chaudhary scored the highest 26 runs for the team, while Sunar and Shakti Gauchan hit 24 and 17 runs respectively. Also, Saurabh Khanal contributed 16 runs.
Sob took the most wickets for Army picking up three, while Hari Krishna Jha and Sushan Bhari nicked two wickets each for the winning cause. Sob was named the man-of-the-match in the final.
After the win, Army took home Rs 300,000, while the runner-up Rupandehi was rewarded with Rs 150,000.
Despite facing the loss in the final, Rupandehi’s Sunar was named the best player of the tournament and was prized with Rs 25,000. Likewise, Army’s Pun and Rupandehi’s Krishna Karki was adjudged the best batsman and the best bowler of the tournament respectively. They both got Rs 10,000 each.
A total of 10 teams had taken part in the tournament which started from May 17.
