Kathmandu Gurkhas secured a commanding six-wicket victory over Pokhara Avengers in the ongoing Nepal Premier League (NPL) at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, on Saturday, December 14.
The Gurkhas restricted the Avengers to 138 runs and chased it down in just 14.1 overs, with six wickets in hand.
This win lifted the Gurkhas to fifth place in the standings with six points from six matches. They still have one game remaining, against Biratnagar Kings on Sunday, December 15, to decide their playoff fate.
Chitwan Rhinos, also with six points from six matches, currently occupies fourth place due to a superior run rate.
The tournament, featuring eight teams, follows a round-robin format where each team plays the others once. The top four teams advance to the playoffs.
Opener Stephen Eskinazi led the chase for Kathmandu with a scintillating 60 off 34 balls, laced with 10 fours. His partner Michael Levitt contributed a quick 32 off 18 balls, hitting six fours and a six. Bhim Sarki added 22 off 20 balls, while Gerhard Erasmus finished the match in style with an unbeaten 25 off 10 balls, including three sixes and a four.
For Pokhara, Bipin Khatri was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets, while Mitchell Leask chipped in with one.
Sent in to bat first, Pokhara Avengers managed just 138/8 in the allotted 20 overs. Raymon Reifer top-scored with an unbeaten 41 off 30 balls, smashing three sixes and a four. Dinesh Kharel added a brisk 38 off 25 balls, while Dilip Nath contributed 27 off 24.
Kathmandu’s bowlers, led by captain Karan KC and Rashid Khan, took control of the game, picking up three wickets each. Erasmus and Levitt added a wicket apiece.
Eskinazi was named Player of the Match for his explosive innings.
The loss leaves the Avengers reliant on other results for their survival in the tournament.
In the second match of the day, the Chitwan Rhinos faces Janakpur Bolts. If the Rhinos defeat the already-qualified Bolts (10 points from six matches), it will have eight points, eliminating both the Avengers and Biratnagar Kings from playoff contention.
