Mayor Cup Cricket: APF reached the final, facing Nepal Police for the title

KATHMANDU: The Armed Police Force (APF) cricket team has reached the final of the Mayor’s Cup cricket tournament. Defeating Kathmandu Mayor-11 by seven wickets, APF has ensured a meeting with Nepal Police in the final.

The final match between the Nepal Police and the APF will be played on Saturday at the Tribhuvan Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

APF completed the target of 178 runs set by Kathmandu Mayor-11 with 29 balls to spare at a loss of three wickets. After losing three wickets for 57 runs, APF captain Sharad Veshakar shared an unbeaten 121-run stand with Sandeep Jora for the fourth wicket.

Sharad and Sandeep contributed 61 and 62 runs respectively. Sandeep scored 62 runs off 79 balls with four boundaries. Veshakar hit five fours and a six off 118 balls.

Anuj Chunara, Sandeep Lamichhane and Anil Kharel took one wicket each for Mayor-11.

Earlier, Mayor 11, who was invited to bat first after losing the toss at Mulpani Cricket Ground, was all out for 177 in 48.5 overs. Mayor 11 got off to a weak start, losing two wickets for 44 runs. Sandeep Razali shared 65 runs with Harishankar Sah for the third wicket. Razali returned to the pavilion with 48 runs. Soon after, Sah returned to the pavilion with a personal total of 36 runs. Bikram Bhushal contributed 20 runs and captain Sandeep Lamichhane contributed 11 runs.

For APF, Avinash Bohara and Kamal Airy took three wickets each while Basanta Regmi, Sharad Veshakar and Bhuvan Karki took one wicket each. Opener Khadak Bohara was run out by Regmi for 13 runs.

APF has collected six points from four games. Nepal Police has already secured a place in the final with six points from four games.

Tribhuvan Army is facing Bagmati Pradesh in its last match. Both have the same two points. Kathmandu Mayor-11, on the other hand, is at the bottom of the table with two points after winning only one of the four matches.