Kathmandu Gorkhas keep play-off hopes alive

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, dec.1: Kathmandu Gorkhas defeated Karnali Yaks by five wickets on Sunday to strengthen their play-off chances in the second season of the Nepal Premier League 2025.

Chasing 150, Kathmandu reached the target in the 18th over, finishing on 155/5. Both sides were desperate for points, but Kathmandu dashed Karnali’s hopes of a second win in the tournament. The victory gave Kathmandu their fourth win, moving them to second place and level on points with Biratnagar Kings, who trail at third in a poor net run rate.

League leaders Sudur Paschim Royals have already sealed their play-off berth with five wins from five. They sit comfortably at the top with 10 points after romping to a six-wicket victory over defending champions Janakpur Bolts on Saturday. Janakpur, meanwhile, remain winless and rooted to the bottom of the table.

The Gorkhas’ chase was anchored by a crucial fourth-wicket stand between Gerhard Erasmus and John Simpson. Coming together at 63/3 in the 10th over, the pair added 86 runs to put Kathmandu in control.

Namibian right-hander Erasmus struck two fours and two sixes in his match-winning knock of 43 off 33 balls. English left-hander Simpson played the aggressor, smashing 41 off just 21 deliveries before falling in the 18th over with the scores level.

With one run needed, Kathmandu lost Rashid Khan for a duck the very next ball, but Bhim Sharki sealed the win in style, launching a six to finish the job.

Earlier, openers Ben Charlesworth and Aakash Tripathi gave Kathmandu a decent start with a 40-run stand. Charlesworth hammered 34 off 21 balls, including two fours and three sixes, while Tripathi managed only eight. Milind Kumar chipped in with 15 before being run out.

For Karnali, Nandan Yadav was the pick of the bowlers with 3/35, while Pawan Sarraf claimed one wicket.

Batting first after winning the toss, Karnali posted 149/7 in their 20 overs. They were rescued by a late blitz from Gulshan Jha, who smashed 49 off 22 balls with six fours and three sixes. Coming in at No.7, Jha shared a 55-run stand with Deepak Dumre (10) for the seventh wicket, lifting Karnali from 88/6 to a competitive total.

The Yaks had a nightmare start, losing Priyank Panchal for a golden duck and William Bosisto run out for one in the opening over. Mark Watt (30 off 27) and Sarraf (35 off 29) steadied the innings with a 59-run partnership for the third wicket, but wickets fell regularly thereafter. Najibullah Zadran added 12, while Dumre contributed 10.

For Kathmandu, Rashid Khan bagged two wickets, while Karan KC, Milind Kumar and Santosh Yadav chipped in with one apiece.