KATHMANDU, Dec 15: With three games remaining in the group stage of the inaugural season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), four teams–Sudurpaschim Royals, Chitwan Rhinos, Karnali Yaks and Kathmandu Gurkhas–will all be fighting for three spots in the playoff of the tournament.
Only Janakpur Bolts have secured their spots in the playoffs, leaving three spots up for grabs for the four teams. Bolts have accumulated a total of 10 points having played all their fixtures in the group stage. Lumbini Lions with just two points, and Biratnagar Kings and Pokhara Avengers with four points each, have no chance of advancing any further in the tournament.
NPL: Kathmandu Gurkhas bowling against Sudurpaschim Royals
Of the four teams, Royals have the most chances of securing a spot in the playoffs as they have amassed eight points with two games in hand. If they are to win either game, they will advance to the playoffs. However, they will be facing Yaks, who will be fighting to win in order to qualify for the playoffs, in the final match of the group stage. Royals will, therefore, be better off sealing their spot in the playoffs with a win over Avengers in the penultimate game of the group stage.
Currently, Rhinos and Yaks stand at the third and fourth spots in the points table, with eight points each. Rhinos have played all their games in the group stage while Yaks will face Royals in the final match of the group stage. If Yaks come on top of the game, they will also book a spot in the playoffs with ten points. Rhinos will be pinning their hopes on the loss of either Yaks or Gurkhas.
Gurkhas remain at the most precarious position to secure a place in the playoffs. They have stockpiled six points from six games, with their last game against Kings to be played on Sunday morning at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground.
Even if they win the game, Gurkhas would have to wait for the results from the last two games of the group stage in order to find out they qualify for the playoffs. Gurkhas’ chance of advancing any further in the tournament is also blighted by their net run rate. With a net run rate of -0.506, they will have to win on Sunday by a large margin in order to topple Yaks, which has a meagre net run rate of 0.095.
