Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Gorkhas beat Karnali Yaks by four wickets in the first match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Monday.
Batting first, Karnali Yaks posted 180 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 20 overs. In reply, Kathmandu Gorkhas scored 181 runs for the loss of six wickets with two balls to spare.
Opener Ariful Islam scored 44 off 22 balls to give momentum to Karnali’s innings. Although other Karnali top-order batters failed to make significant contributions, Pawan Sarraf scored an unbeaten 30 off 24 balls and Hussain Talat made 40 off 30 balls. Gulsan Jha then contributed 20 off 12 balls as Karnali posted 180. Mark Watt added 17 runs. The remaining Karnali batters failed to reach double digits.
Karan KC claimed two wickets for Kathmandu, while Shahab Alam, Jahandad Khan, Dev Shah and Santosh Yadav picked up a wicket each.
Although Kathmandu lost their star batter David Warner (16) in the second over, Rashid Khan scored a half-century, making 50 off 33 balls, before Mohammad Aadil Alam contributed 20 off 27 balls. Captain Karan KC played a superb knock of 44 off 20 balls to steer the chase before Jahandad Khan (22) and Santosh Yadav (5) helped Kathmandu secure a thrilling win.
Sompal Kami and Hussain Talat dismissed two Kathmandu batters each, while Mark Watt and Nandan Yadav claimed a wicket apiece.
This was Karnali’s first defeat in three matches and Kathmandu’s first win in two. Despite the loss, the Yaks remain at the top of the table with four points, while Kathmandu are sixth with two points from as many matches.
