Lumbini Lions’ hopes of making it to the Nepal Premier League (NPL) playoffs were dashed after an overcome to Kathmandu Gurkhas at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground on Monday. The triumph has reinforced Kathmandu’s chances of progressing to the playoffs.

Batting to begin with, Kathmandu was bowled out for a modest 103 runs, with Bhim Sharkitop scoring with 31 runs off 40 balls. Pratik Shrestha added 20 runs from 14 balls, whereas Dan Douthwaite contributed 21 runs. Other batters, counting Stephen Eskinazi (13 runs), Gerhard Erasmus (1 run), and Rashid Khan (1 run), failed to impress. Dipesh Kandel remained unbeaten on 0 as Kathmandu’s innings finished in 19.4 overs.

Lumbini’s bowlers were in fine frame, with Saad Bin Zafar taking 3 wickets, whereas Ramon Simmons and Abhishek Gautam stowed 2 each. Surya Tamang and Bibek Yadav each took one wicket.

Chasing an unassuming target, Lumbini’s batting line-up collapsed beneath weight. Captain Rohit Paudel overseen as it were 8 runs off 15 balls, whereas Unmukt Chand (14 runs), Tom Moores (6 runs), and Arjun Saud (3 runs) battled to construct organizations. In spite of Sandeep Jora’s 26 runs off 29 balls, Lumbini were bowled out for just 91 runs, falling brief by 12 runs.

Karan KC from Kathmandu shined as the star bowler, taking 4 wickets. Dipesh Kandel took 3 wickets, whereas Rashid Khan and Gerhard Erasmus included 1 wicket each.

This result dispenses with Lumbini Lions from playoff dispute, as they have just 2 points from six matches. In differentiate, Kathmandu Gurkhas presently have 4 focuses from four matches, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

source: thekathmandupost.