The Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club claimed the Senior Women’s National Cricket for the third time in succession with a resounding 144-run victory over Nepalgunj at the TU ground on Monday. 

A 58-run knock from Sita Rana Magar helped APF put on 187-8 before Ritu Kanujiya’s spell of 4-18 helped them restrict Nepalgunj for 73-8 runs in 33.5 overs. “It was more of a team effort than the individual input as we were able to execute our plans on the field,” APF skipper Neera Rajopadhaya said. 

APF were rewarded with Rs 45,000 while runners-up Nepalgunj received Rs 30,000. Skipper Nary Thapa and Rekha BC sustained injuries during the match that damped Nepalgunj’s hope of ending APF’s reign in women cricket and they had to be content as runners-up finish for the third time in a row. 

Nary, who fractured her left foot while bowling, will be sidelined for at least four weeks which could see the first century-maker in women’s cricket miss out on the ACC Women’s Premier Cricket scheduled for February 11-18 in Thailand.

“Losing Nary early in the match was a turning point for us,” Nepalgunj coach Jamil Ansari said. “We not only lost an excellent allrounder but the morale of the team also dipped after she limped out of the ground,” added Ansari. Nary was adjudged the best batswoman and player-of-the-tournament for scoring 274 runs at an average of 123.50 and claiming 12 wickets at the strike rate of 16.25. 

With two batswoman out Nepalgunj were never in the contention. Mamta Thapa (19) and Sarita Thapa (18) were the only batswoman to score in double digits. Sarita had featured in 32 runs opening stand with Geeta Gosai (7). Kanujiya, who ran through their top-order, trapped Sarita leg before in the 10 over to break the partnership and Nepalgunj lost four more wickets in succession which saw them shrink to 38-5. Rajopadhaya, Binu Budha Magar, Karuna Bhandari and Sarita Magar scaled a wicket each for APF. 

Earlier, Sita smashed 11 boundaries in her 62-ball 58-run. She completed her half century in 57 balls. Other meaningful contribution came from Rajopadhaya (20) for APF. Anu KC grabbed three and BC two wickets for Nepalgunj. 

Trishna Singh of Nepalgunj, who took 11 in four matches, was declared the best bowler while Jyoti Pandey of APF got the emerging player award. Pandey scored a total of 200 runs in the tournament. 

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Nepalgunj's Nary Thapa was adjudged the best batswoman and player-of-the-tournament for scoring 274 runs at an average of 123.50 and claiming 12 wickets at the strike rate of 16.25. However, on final she was out injured during the match.

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