Left-arm spin proves decisive in Gandaki’s historic win over APF

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Mar 29, 2026

Gandaki Province secured their first victory over a departmental side in the PM Cup with a 43-run win against Armed Police Force Club in a rain-shortened 21-over contest at the Lower Mulpani Cricket Ground on Sunday. A collective batting effort followed by a clinical show from their left-arm spinners set up the result.

Asked to bat first on a damp surface following a delayed start, Gandaki made the most of the conditions to post a solid 150 for 7. The foundation was laid early through a fluent 63-run opening stand between Arjun Kumal and Gaurav BK.

Arjun Kumal’s brisk 25 set the tone, while Gaurav BK carried on with greater authority, striking 37 to keep the momentum intact.

With the platform set, Deepak Dumre played the role of stabiliser and accelerator in equal measure. His 34 off 27 balls, laced with a six and two fours, ensured Gandaki didn’t lose direction through the middle overs.

Captain Bipin Khatri then applied the finishing touches with a composed unbeaten 20, lifting the total past the 150-mark, a score that proved more than competitive on a sluggish surface.

For APF, Abinash Bohara marked his return to the PM Cup with an impressive spell, picking up 3 for 35 and briefly keeping Gandaki in check. Kamal Singh Airee, Yuvraj Khatri and Avishek Gautam chipped in with a wicket each, but the bowlers couldn’t quite contain the flow of runs.

Chasing 151 in a shortened game always required early impetus, but APF never found their rhythm. The innings unraveled dramatically against Gandaki’s left-arm spin attack, which exploited the conditions expertly.

Aprajit Paudel (3/31) and Cirbin Shrestha (3/25) led the charge, sharing six wickets between them to leave APF reeling at 61 for 7.

Once the damage was done, Subash Bhandari tightened the screws further with a miserly spell of 2 for 7, while Kamal Pariyar added another wicket to wrap up the innings at 107 in 18.3 overs.

Sumit Maharjan’s 22 off 24 balls, featuring a lone six, was the highest score for APF, underlining the extent of their struggles. Not a single batter managed to cross the 20-run mark apart from him, as the chase fizzled out well short of the target.