Karnali Yaks defeated Biratnagar Kings by four wickets in the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Thursday, reaching their target of 187 with one ball remaining. Captain Sompal Kami led the chase with an unbeaten 62 off 32 balls as Karnali finished on 187-6 in 19.5 overs. Biratnagar had scored 186-8 in their 20 overs, with Lokesh Bam making the highest score of the innings, 52.
Kami leads the chase
Karnali needed 187 runs to win after Biratnagar set a target of 187. The Yaks reached it in the final over, completing the chase on the fifth delivery of the 20th over. Their score of 187-6 meant they finished four wickets down from the target, securing a four-wicket victory in a close contest.
Kami's 62 not out anchored the successful pursuit. He scored those runs from 32 balls, giving him a strike rate of 193.75. His unbeaten stay meant he was at the crease when Karnali crossed the finish line. The captain's contribution accounted for a substantial portion of the winning total and helped the side maintain the required pace through the chase.
The result came down to the closing stages, with Karnali reaching the target at 19.5 overs rather than needing the final delivery. The scoreline reflects a narrow finish: the Yaks had six wickets down when they completed the chase, while Biratnagar had posted a total of 186 after using all 20 overs.
Bam tops the score for Biratnagar
Biratnagar Kings set the Yaks a target of 187 after making 186-8. Lokesh Bam was the Kings' leading scorer, contributing 52 runs. His innings was the highest individual score in Biratnagar's total, which gave the side a competitive total to defend.
The Kings' total was built across the full 20 overs, ending with eight wickets lost. Although the score put Karnali under pressure to complete a substantial chase, the Yaks ultimately scored one run more than Biratnagar, with four wickets still in hand. The match's outcome turned on Karnali's ability to finish the pursuit before the end of the innings.
Lamichhane points to fielding and bowling
After the defeat, Biratnagar captain Sandeep Lamichhane blamed poor fielding and bowling for the loss. His assessment focused on the areas he said had hurt the Kings as they tried to defend their total. The match ended with Karnali reaching 187, while Biratnagar had conceded enough runs for the visitors to complete the chase in 19.5 overs.
For Karnali, the four-wicket win was secured by a successful pursuit led by their captain. For Biratnagar, Bam's 52 and a total of 186-8 were not enough to prevent the Yaks from taking the points. Kami's unbeaten 62 provided the defining contribution in a match decided in the final over of the chase at Kirtipur.
