Kathmandu, December 11
Lumbini Lions have been eliminated from the playoff contention in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) after an 18-run loss to Kathmandu Gurkhas on Wednesday. With only one win from six matches, Lumbini’s fate was sealed a game before the end of the league stage.
Kathmandu, on the other hand, secured their second win in four matches, adding 4 points to their tally and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Chasing a target of 104 runs, Lumbini were bowled out for 85 in 19.2 overs. Sandeep Jora top-scored for Lumbini with 26 runs off 29 balls, including two boundaries. Skipper Unmukt Chand added 14 runs, while Surya Tamang remained unbeaten on 11. The rest of the batters failed to reach double digits.
Kathmandu’s captain, Karan KC, led the bowling attack with a stellar performance, claiming 4 wickets for 16 runs in 4 overs. Dipesh Kandel was equally impressive, taking 3 wickets for just 6 runs in his 4 overs. Gerhard Erasmus picked up 2 wickets for 19 runs, while Rashid Khan chipped in with 1 wicket. Shahab Alam bowled economically, conceding only 10 runs in 4 overs despite going wicketless.
Earlier, Kathmandu were bowled out for 103 runs in 19.2 overs after opting to bat first at the TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. Bhim Sharki top-scored with 31 runs, while Dan Douthwaite contributed 21, Pratik Shrestha 20, and Stephen Eskinazi 13 runs.
For Lumbini, Saad Bin Zafar claimed 3 wickets for 21 runs in his 4 overs. Ramon Simmons and Abhishek Gautam picked up 2 wickets each, while Surya Tamang and Bivek Yadav took 1 wicket apiece.
