Gurkhas win by one wicket, chasing down 118 run target

KATHMANDU: In their Nepal Premier League match on Sunday at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, the Kathmandu Gurkhas overcame the Biratnagar Kings by an exciting one wicket. After pursuing a modest target of 118, Kathmandu reached their objective in 18.1 overs. The win was secured by the unbroken 18-run partnership between Shankar Rana and Dipesh Kandel. 

Kandel finished with 11 runs off five balls, including a boundary and a six, against Subash Bhandari, with two runs remaining to win the match. Rana helped the squad cross the finish line with 16 runs off 20 balls.

Even if the win is significant, Kathmandu's chances of making the playoffs are now in jeopardy. Kathmandu presently has eight points, along with the Chitwan Rhinos and Karnali Yaks, after winning four of their last seven games. But in terms of net run rate, Chitwan is in first place. The results of Karnali Yaks' match against the Sudurpaschim Royals on Monday, as well as their remaining games, will determine Kathmandu's prospects of making the playoffs.

With 39 runs off 34 balls, including two fours and two sixes, Pratik Shrestha was Kathmandu's top scorer. Rashid Khan scored 14, Gerhard Erasmus added 12, and Michael Levit added 10. But Karan KC, the captain of Kathmandu, was sent out for a duck. Sandeep Lamichhane bowled cheaply, conceding only 19 runs in four overs, while Chris Sole and Basir Ahmed of Biratnagar each claimed two wickets.

In 19.5 overs, Biratnagar Kings were bowled out for 117 after choosing to bat first. With 3-17, including a crucial over in which he removed Lamichhane, Chris Sole, and Scott Edwards, Erasmus was the most impressive bowler. Karan KC, Shahab Alam, and Dan Douthwaite all claimed wickets, while Dipesh Kandel provided help with 2-16.

Biratnagar's best scorer, Rajesh Pulami, scored 25 runs off of 21 balls, but his performance was insufficient to set a difficult goal. Nicholas Kirton and Deepak Bohara both scored ten and twenty runs, respectively, but the squad was unable to form partnerships and ended their innings far below par.

Kathmandu's strong bowling efforts, spearheaded by Erasmus and Kandel, further exacerbated Biratnagar's batting meltdown. Having finished the season with a dismal four points from six games, the Kings are essentially out of the running for the playoffs.

With this close win, the Kathmandu Gurkhas have kept their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs alive, but they will have to depend on how well they play in the remaining games and how other games turn out to secure their place in the following round. As a result of their inability to qualify for the playoffs, Biratnagar's competition finishes early.