Rashid Khan and captain Karan KC starred with the bat as Kathmandu Gurkhas registered their first victory of the third Nepal Premier League season, beating Karnali Yaks by four wickets on Monday.
Although primarily bowlers, the two produced crucial innings to help Kathmandu chase down a target of 181 in a thrilling finish at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, with two balls to spare.
The victory came in Kathmandu’s second match of the season. It also extended their winning record against Karnali to three consecutive NPL seasons. Karnali, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat after winning their opening two matches.
Rashid scored a half-century, making 50 off 33 balls with three fours and two sixes. He shared a 54-run third-wicket partnership with Aadil Alam and added 55 off 26 balls for the fifth wicket with captain Karan.
Karan scored 44 off just 20 deliveries, hitting four fours and three sixes. Coming in to bat in the 13th over, he was dismissed in the 18th by Karnali captain Sompal Kami.
Jahandad Khan then provided the late impetus, remaining unbeaten on 22 off 10 balls to guide Kathmandu home.
With Kathmandu needing 21 runs from the final two overs, Jahandad hit Pawan Sarraf for consecutive sixes off the first two deliveries of the 19th over. Santosh Yadav also struck a four in the over.
Kathmandu needed four runs in the final over to complete the chase and collected them without further trouble. Santosh remained unbeaten on five off three deliveries.
For Karnali, Sompal and Hussain Talat took two wickets apiece, while Mark Watt and Nandan Yadav claimed one each.
Earlier, after being sent in to bat, Karnali posted 180 for six in their allotted 20 overs.
Bangladeshi opener Ariful Islam top-scored with 44 off 22 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes. His opening partner Jishan Alam was dismissed for seven.
Mark Watt made 17 off 20 balls, including two fours, while Deepak Dumre contributed eight runs.
Pakistan all-rounder Hussain Talat scored 40 off 30 balls before being dismissed hit wicket off Jahandad Khan's bowling. He struck one four and two sixes.
Gulshan Jha made 20 off 12 deliveries, hitting two sixes. Pawan Sarraf remained unbeaten on 30 off 24 balls, also hitting two sixes, while Sompal Kami finished on one not out.
For Kathmandu, Karan took two wickets for 35 runs in his four overs. Jahandad, Shahab Alam, Santosh Yadav and Dev Shah picked up one wicket each.
Binod Pandey is a sports reporter for the Kantipur Publications.
