Sudurpashchim Province boosted their chances of a top-two finish with a 56-run win over Nepal Police Club in Match 38 of the PM Cup at Ramjanaki Multipurpose Stadium, Janakpur.
The result took Sudurpashchim to 12 points from their full nine league matches and lifted them into second place. Nepal Police stayed on 9 points from eight games and now face a must-win final match in their push for the top two.
Sudurpashchim were in early trouble after slipping to 68 for 5, but Narayan Joshi turned the innings around with a superb 82 off 80 balls. He struck seven fours and six sixes and rebuilt the innings with the lower order. Hemant Dhami added 20, while Ashok Dhami made 18 as Sudurpashchim recovered to 191 all out in 40.4 overs.
Nepal Police had created the opening through Dinesh Kharel, who returned 4 for 17 in nine overs. Sagar Dhakal took 3 for 52, while Kushal Bhurtel claimed two wickets and Gulshan Jha picked up one.
In reply, Nepal Police never settled after losing early wickets. They slid to 53 for 5 and later 119 for 9 before Gulshan Jha offered resistance with 50 off 64 balls. No other batter made more than 19, and the chase never seriously threatened Sudurpashchim's total.
Sudurpashchim's bowlers then wrapped up the game in disciplined fashion. Hemant Dhami and Sher Malla took 3 wickets each, while Narayan Joshi, Ashok Dhami and Khadak Bohora took one apiece. Nepal Police were bowled out for 135 in 35.1 overs.
The victory gave Sudurpashchim a strong finish to their league campaign. Nepal Police, meanwhile, remain alive but no longer control the top-two race as comfortably as they did before the match.
