KATHMANDU: Karnali Yaks defeated Pokhara Avengers by seven wickets in the 17th match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) at the TU International Cricket Grounds on Tuesday.
Batting first, Pokhara Avengers folded for 103 runs in 20 overs as Australian spinner William Bosisto claimed six wickets. Karnali Yaks achieved the target losing three wickets with 30 balls to spare.
Although Pokhara batters added 46 runs for the first wicket in just 3.5 overs, it started losing wickets continuously after that. Dinesh Kharel and Andries Gous scored 26 and 25, respectively, while Kushal Burtel and Raymon Reifer added 10 and 20 runs, respectively. Bipin Khatri scored an unbeaten 10. Other Pokhara batters failed to reach double digits.
William Bosisto claimed six wickets for Karnali, while Sompal Kami, Bipin Sharma and Unish Thakuri got a wicket each.
Chasing 103 to earn its third victory in NPL, Karnali openers stuttered and were back in the dugout in 3.5 overs with just 14 runs on board. While Dev Khanal was out for a duck, Babar Hayat scored seven off 10. However, Chadwick Walton scored 42 off 34 balls and Gulsa Jhan hit a not-out 49 off 37 balls to take Karnali home in the 15th over.
Bipin Khatri, Sagar Dhakal and Kushal Bhurtel took a wicket each for Pokhara.
Sudurpaschim Royals will meet Janakpur Royals in the first match of the NPL on Wednesday, while Kathmandu Gurkhas play against Lumbini Lions in the second match.