In the Nepal Premier League (NPL) match on Saturday, Karnali Yaks defeated Biratnagar Kings by 7 runs in a low-scoring encounter.
Chasing a target of 134 runs set by Karnali, Biratnagar managed only 126 runs for losing 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs, which gave Karnali a thrilling victory. After losing their first two matches, Karnali has now won back-to-back games.
For Biratnagar, Nicholas Kirton was the top scorer with 40 runs off 39 balls, hitting 4 fours and 1 six. Lokesh Bam contributed 19 runs, and Dipak Bohara added 18.
In bowling, Nandan Yadav of Karnali Yaks took the highest number of wickets, claiming 3 in 4 overs while conceding only 19 runs. Bipin Sharma bowled a brilliant spell, giving away 20 runs in his 4 overs, including 1 maiden, and taking 2 wickets. Sompal Kami, William Bosisto, and Yunish Thakuri picked up one wicket each.
After losing the toss and being sent to bat first at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Karnali scored 133 runs in their 20 overs, losing all their wickets. The team was powered by half-centuries from William Bosisto and Dev Khanal.
Bosisto scored 66 runs off 49 balls, hitting 5 fours and 3 sixes. Similarly, opener Dev Khanal scored 53 runs off 48 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes. After losing two wickets for just 9 runs, Bosisto and Dev put together a 102-run partnership for the third wicket.
Opener Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed for 5 runs, while Chadwick Walton, Arjun Gharti, and Zeeshan Maqsood managed only 1, 1, and 2 runs, respectively. Gulshan Jha and Nandan Yadav were out for ducks.
For Biratnagar, Pratish GC was the standout bowler, taking 4 wickets for just 17 runs in his 4 overs. In the final over, he bowled a maiden and picked up 3 wickets, with one batter being run out. Karnali failed to add any runs in the final over, marking the first time in this NPL season that no runs were scored in the last over.
Basir Ahmed and Chris Sole also bowled well, taking 2 wickets each while conceding 22 and 25 runs, respectively, in their 4 overs.