Lumbini Province Qualifies for Jai Trophy Cricket; Gandaki Province Eliminated Due to Lower Net Run Rate

Lumbini Province has secured a place in the top six of the Jai Trophy Cricket tournament based on net run rate. Despite Nepal Police Club and Gandaki Province also earning 9 points each, Gandaki Province was eliminated due to an inferior net run rate. In the match where Army defeated Lumbini by 1 wicket, Kushal Malla took 4 wickets. On 16 April, Kathmandu – Lumbini Province has qualified for the Jai Trophy Cricket. Although they lost to the Army by 1 wicket on Wednesday, Lumbini nonetheless managed to finish in the top six. Both Nepal Police Club and Gandaki Province also had 9 points, but Gandaki failed to advance because of a lower net run rate. Had Lumbini won against the Army, they would have qualified outright, but even after the defeat, their net run rate was sufficient to secure sixth place. Gandaki Province, meanwhile, finished seventh due to their net run rate. Although they also earned 9 points in 9 matches, their net run rate was -0.107. It had already been confirmed earlier that Lumbini’s net run rate would not decline into negative territory. Even though Nepal Police Club was defeated by Madhesh Province, the Police team maintained a higher net run rate. Madhesh Province earned 11 points after beating the Police.

In the match, the Army successfully chased down a target of 139 runs set by Lumbini in 25.2 overs with the loss of 9 wickets. For the Army, Kushal Malla scored the highest with 41 runs, followed by Arjun Saud with 28 runs. Bhim Sarki also contributed 18 runs. Batting first after winning the toss, Lumbini was all out for 138 runs in 39.2 overs. Ranjit Khadka and captain Dev Khanal both scored 23 runs, while Akash Tripathi added 21 runs. From the Army’s bowling lineup, Kushal Malla took 4 wickets, with Naren Saud and Bhim Sarki claiming 2 wickets each. Shahab Alam and Basir Ahmad took 1 wicket apiece.