KATHMANDU: Dec 15: Kathmandu Gurkhas have got a reachable target of 118 runs as they bowled out Biratnagar Kings for 117 in the first match of the ongoing Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Sunday, raising their chances of making it to the playoffs.
However, Gurkhas need to improve their run-rate by reaching the target within as few overs as possible. If they reach the target within 12 overs, it would open the chance for them to reach the playoffs.
Gurkhas, which have six points in as many matches, are in a must-win situation in today’s last round robin match. They must triumph with a bigger margin against Biratnagar, as the Karnali Yaks are currently tottering with a negative run-rate (-0.506). Also, they need to wait for the results of tomorrow’s match between Karnali Yaks and Sudurpaschim Royals.
Pokhara Avengers sets target of 139 runs for Kathmandu Gurkhas
Gurkhas can enter the playoffs only if Sudurpaschim defeat Karnali Yaks. Meanwhile, Biratnagar Kings have already exited from the playoffs. If they win today, they would crash the Gurkhas’ party.
Rajesh Pulami Magar was the highest scorer for Biratnagar as he scored 27 off 26 balls that included one six. Gerhard Erasmus and Dipesh Kandel were chief damage-makers after they scalped three and two wickets respectively.
After Gurkhas won the toss and chose to field first, Biratnagar, batting first, were all out for 117 runs with just one ball remaining.
For Biratnagar, opener Lokesh Bam scored 8 runs while Deepak Bohara managed to add 20 runs. While Nicholas Kirton returned to the pavilion at 12 runs, Scott Andrew Edwards added 15 runs and Bashir Ahmed added 13 runs. Ismat Alam was dismissed for 5 runs, Chris Sole for 1 run and Captain Sandeep Lamichhane for nil.
Rajesh Pulami Magar scored 25 runs off 21 balls, hitting 1 four and 1 six before being dismissed on the third ball of the last over.
