PM Cup: Aasif Sheikh's century powers APF to 71-run win over Bagmati

Aasif Sheikh starred with bat and gloves as Armed Police Force Club defeated Bagmati Province by 71 runs in Match 4 of the Men's PM Cup at Mulpani Cricket Ground on Sunday.

After Bagmati elected to field first, APF built their innings around Aasif's superb 114 off 105 balls, an innings that included 14 fours and three sixes. He first gave the innings momentum in the powerplay and then added a crucial 103-run third-wicket stand with Sundeep Jora, who made 52 off 53 balls. Lower-order contributions from Lokesh Bam (29) and Yuvraj Khatri (26 not out) helped APF finish on a competitive 271 for 8 from 50 overs.

Bagmati's most successful bowler was Rijan Dhakal, who returned 4 for 44, while Ishan Pandey chipped in with two wickets. But APF's total proved too steep once their bowlers struck regularly through the chase.

Bagmati reached 99 for 4 and later 150 in the 34th over, but they never managed to put together the kind of dominant partnership required in pursuit of 272. Bibek Magar top-scored with 34, while Subash Khatri made 27, Uttam Magar added 26 and Shivam Tiwari scored 25.

APF's attack kept the pressure on throughout, with Rohit Paudel and Abhishek Gautam taking three wickets each. Yuvraj Khatri, Kamal Airee, Nandan Yadav and Amar Routela also chipped in as Bagmati were dismissed for 200 in 45.1 overs.

Aasif capped off an outstanding all-round match by effecting two stumpings and was named Player of the Match.