Kathmandu Gorkhas has set a 112-run target for Lumbini Lions in the Eliminator of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) underway in Kirtipur.
Electing to bat first after winning the toss at the TU International Cricket Ground on Wednesday, Kathmandu notched up 111 runs losing all wickets in 19.1 overs.
Santosh Yadav's 23-run score is the highest for Kathmandu Gorkhas followed by John Simpson and Mohammad Aadil Alam with 80 runs each while Bhim Sharki contributed 14 runs. The other batsmen could not receive double-digit runs.
Sher Malla and Rohit Paudel took 3 wickets each followed by Ruben Trumpelmann with 2 runs while Abhishesh Gautam claimed 1 wicket for Lumbini Lions.
The team that loses today’s Eliminator will be knocked out of the NPL title race, making this a must-win match for both Kathmandu and Lumbini.
In their league-stage encounter, Kathmandu had defeated Lumbini by 22 runs. After winning their opening match, Lumbini went on to lose the next three games in a row, but bounced back by winning next three consecutive matches to secure a playoff spot in third place.
Lumbini finished the seven-match league stage with 4 wins and 3 losses, collecting 8 points to claim fourth position and enter the Eliminator.
Kathmandu, on the other hand, recorded 5 wins and 2 losses, ear earning 10 points and finishing third.
Kathmandu Gorkhars squad
Karan KC (Captain), Shahab Alam, Rashid Khan, Bhim Sharki, Santosh Yadav, Akash Tripathi, Mohammad Adil Alam, Ben Charlesworth, Milind Kumar, Johan Simpson, and Sunny Patel.
Lumbini Lions squad
Rohit Paudel (Captain), Sandeep Jora, Dilip Nath, Tilak Bhandari, Sher Malla, Abhishesh Gautam, Dinesh Adhikari, Arshdeep Singh, JJ Smith, Ruben Trumpelmann, and Niroshan Dickwella.
.
