Kirtipur, Nepal: The air crackled with anticipation at the TU Cricket Ground. APF Club, Nepal’s departmental powerhouse, flexed its muscles and booked its ticket to the Prime Minister’s Cup Women’s Twenty20 National Cricket Tournament final. In a dominant display, they dispatched Koshi Pradesh by a convincing 52 runs in the first qualifier.

Winning the Toss, Batting First:

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, APF faced early resistance, losing two wickets before finding their rhythm. The rock of their innings was Indu Burma, an anchor who carved out an unbeaten 56 off 50 deliveries, peppered with three boundaries and a lusty six. Captain Sita Rana Magar was a valuable foil, contributing 45 runs, while Roma Thapa and Jyoti Pandey chipped in with useful cameos of 18* and 12, respectively. The partnership between Indu and Roma, an unbroken 58-run stand for the third wicket, proved the turning point, propelling APF to a commendable total of 139 in their allotted 20 overs.

Koshi Pradesh Falters in the Chase:

Chasing 140, Koshi Pradesh was up against a fiery APF bowling attack. Their batters struggled to string together partnerships, eventually reaching only 87 runs for the loss of four wickets in their 20 overs. Apsari Begam top-scored for Koshi with a gritty 31, while captain Rubina Chhetri (22) and Lakita Rajvanshi (14) offered some resistance. However, it was APF’s bowlers who truly shone. Sonu Khadka, Rekha Rawal, Suman Bista, and the ever-present Sita Rana Magar each picked up a wicket, sharing the spoils and ensuring a comfortable victory for their team.

APF Dominates, Koshi Pradesh to Face Eliminator Winner:

Having finished top of the league stage and then asserting their power in the playoffs, APF stands tall as the first team to reach the final. Koshi Pradesh, who finished second in the league, will now face the winner of the eliminator clash between Bagmati and Sudurpaschim. This sets the stage for a thrilling second qualifier, with the victor earning the right to challenge APF for the coveted Prime Minister’s Cup trophy.