Karnali Yaks edge past Lumbini Lions by five runs in NPL Thriller

KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 13: In the first match of today's Nepal Premier League (NPL) cricket tournament held at the TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, Karnali Yaks secured a narrow five-run victory over the Lumbini Lions.

Chasing a target of 129 runs set by Karnali, the Lions were restricted to 123 for seven in the allotted 20 overs. Tom Moores was the top scorer for Lumbini, contributing 36 runs off 35 balls, including four fours and one six. Sundeep Jora added 24 runs, while Aashutosh Ghiraiya and Saad Bin Zafar scored 16 runs each. Arjun Saud managed 13 runs, and captain Rohit Kumar Paudel chipped in with 10 runs. The remaining Lumbini players failed to reach double digits.

For Karnali, Zeeshan Maqsood claimed two wickets, while Sompal Kami, Nandan Yadav, Bipin Sharma, and William Bosisto picked up one wicket each to restrict Lumbini's chase.

Earlier, Karnali Yaks, invited to bat first after losing the toss, posted 128 runs for eight wickets in 20 overs. William Bosisto was the standout performer with a quickfire 44 runs off 30 balls, featuring three fours and three sixes. Arjun Gharti contributed 25 runs, including two fours and one six in 25 balls, while opener Babar Hayat scored 20 runs. Dev Khanal was dismissed for three runs, while Chadwick Walton, Gulshan Jha, and captain Sompal Kami added 13, 8, and 7 runs respectively.

Lumbini debutant Bikash Aagri impressed with three wickets, while Tilak Raj Bhandari took two. Saad Bin Zafar and captain Rohit Kumar Paudel chipped in with one wicket each.

With this win, Karnali Yaks bolstered their chances of making the playoffs, while Lumbini Lions have been eliminated from the tournament.

In today's second match, Biratnagar Kings will face Chitwan Rhinos.