The Nepal Premier League (NPL) saw another dramatic encounter on Wednesday, where the Lumbini Lions were eliminated from playoff contention after suffering an 18-run loss to the Kathmandu Gurkhas. The defeat sealed Lumbini’s fate, as they could only manage one win from six matches, leaving them with no chance to progress to the next stage of the tournament. Kathmandu, on the other hand, kept their playoff hopes alive with their second win in four matches, adding crucial points to their tally.
Match Summary: Lumbini’s Struggles Continue
Kathmandu Gurkhas’ Innings: Kathmandu opted to bat first at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, posting a modest total of 103 runs before being bowled out in 19.2 overs. The team’s top scorers were Bhim Sharki, who made 31 runs, and Dan Douthwaite, who contributed 21. Pratik Shrestha and Stephen Eskinazi added 20 and 13 runs, respectively, but the rest of the batting lineup faltered under pressure.
Lumbini’s Bowling Performance: Lumbini’s bowlers gave a solid performance in restricting Kathmandu to a low total. Saad Bin Zafar was the standout bowler, claiming 3 wickets for 21 runs in his 4 overs. Ramon Simmons and Abhishek Gautam supported well with 2 wickets each, while Surya Tamang and Bivek Yadav took 1 wicket each. Despite the decent bowling effort, Kathmandu’s total proved enough to put Lumbini on the back foot.
Lumbini’s Chasing Effort Falls Short
With a target of 104 runs, Lumbini began their chase with hope, but the team was quickly undone by a lethal Kathmandu bowling attack. Lumbini were bowled out for just 85 runs in 19.2 overs, falling 18 runs short of the target.
Key Performances from Lumbini:
- Sandeep Jora was the top scorer for Lumbini, making 26 runs off 29 balls with 2 boundaries.
- Unmukt Chand, the captain, managed only 14 runs before being dismissed.
- Surya Tamang remained unbeaten on 11 runs, but it was too little too late as the rest of the batters struggled to contribute.
Kathmandu’s Bowling Dominance: Kathmandu’s bowlers were exceptional, with Karan KC leading the charge. He took 4 wickets for just 16 runs in 4 overs, dismantling Lumbini’s top order. Dipesh Kandel was equally destructive, claiming 3 wickets for just 6 runs in his 4 overs. Other key performances included Gerhard Erasmus, who took 2 wickets for 19 runs, and Rashid Khan, who chipped in with 1 wicket. Shahab Alam, despite not taking any wickets, bowled a tight spell, conceding only 10 runs in 4 overs.
Lumbini’s Playoff Dreams Over
With this defeat, the Lumbini Lions were officially eliminated from playoff contention, having accumulated just one win from their six matches in the league stage. Their batting has been inconsistent throughout the tournament, and despite some good bowling performances, they could not finish strong enough to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Kathmandu, meanwhile, kept their slim playoff chances intact with this important victory. They now look ahead to their final matches, hoping to build on this win and secure a spot in the knockout stages.
Looking Ahead:
As the league stage of the NPL comes to a close, both teams will be hoping for a strong finish. While Lumbini’s season ends in disappointment, Kathmandu’s win keeps them in the race for a playoff spot. Fans will be eagerly awaiting the final stages of the tournament to see if Kathmandu can make a successful push toward the title.
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