KATHMANDU, Dec 25: Hong Kong captain Babar Hayat smashed five fours and four sixes on his way to second fifty of the EPL 2017 to power Biratnagar Warriors to 147/7 in 20 overs. Biratnagar has already qualified for the playoffs. Both teams are facing each other in their last game of the group stage.
Kathmandu Kings XI won the toss and elected to bowl first in a must-win match to stay in the tournament. Kings XI made two changes, Samsad Sheikh and Naresh Budhayer replaced Sushil Kandel and Raju Rija. Left-arm spinner Kandel is out of the tournament due to shoulder injury whereas Naresh kept wicket for King XI.
Similarly, Warriors made three changes in the team. Sumit Maharjan, Aa, ash Bista and Ram Naresh Giri replaced Sahan Adeesha, Pushpa Thapa and Avinash Karn.
Babar Hayat made 67 runs after Warriors lost the wicket of Aasif Sheikh to Jeetendra Mukhiya’s maiden-wicket first over of the innings. Babar shared the partnership of 72 runs with opener Anshuman Rath who made 32 runs that included four fours and a six.
Kings XI spearhead Sompal Kami scalped Babar Hayat and skipper Paras Khadka who played a cameo of 26 runs in 25 deliveries to restrict them to 147. Warriors were 81 for a wicket loss in the halfway mark through the innings. Amar Singh Routela came back in last over of the innings to take two wickets in the last over after going for runs in his earlier spells. King XI skipper Farveez Maharoof and Jeetendra Mukhiya picked up a wicket each.
Match Summary
Biratnagar Warriors: 147/7 (20 Ov)
Babar Hayat 67 (50) 5 fours, 4 sixes
Anshuman Rath 32 (26) 4 fours, 1 six
Sompal Kami 4-0-33-2
Amar Singh Routela 4-0-37-2
Kathmandu Kings XI (Toss)
Target 148
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