Kushal Malla produced a key all-round performance as Tribhuvan Army Club edged Lumbini Province by one wicket in a tense Match 44 of the PM Cup at Ramjanaki Multipurpose Stadium, Janakpur on Wednesday.
Lumbini opted to bat first but failed to turn a decent start into a strong total. Opener Ranjeet Khadka top-scored with 28, Dev Khanal made 23 and Akash Tripathi added 21, but Army kept taking wickets at regular intervals. Lumbini reached 62 for 1 in the 17th over and crossed 100 in the 27th, yet they collapsed from there and were bowled out for 138 in 39.2 overs.
Malla led the bowling effort with 4 for 26 in eight overs. Naren Saud picked up two wickets, while Basir Ahamad, Shahab Alam and Bhim Sharki chipped in as Army shut the innings down.
Army then made a flying start in the chase and were 52 in 7.1 overs. But the game swung sharply as wickets tumbled through the middle overs. Army moved to 99 for 5, then slipped to 134 for 9, with Lumbini suddenly on the verge of an unlikely win.
Malla held the chase together with 41 off 36 balls, while Arjun Saud made 28 and Imran Sheikh stayed unbeaten on 16. Lumbini fought back brilliantly through Santosh Yadav, who returned 5 for 17 in six overs, while Nirmal Gurung claimed 4 for 40.
Army eventually scraped home on 141 for 9 in 25.2 overs to complete a nervy one-wicket victory.
