Kathmandu Gurkhas set 104-run target for Lumbini Lions

KATHMANDU: Siddhartha Bank Nepal Premier League (NPL) saw Kathmandu Gurkhas posting a modest total against Lumbini Lions, with the former being bowled out for just 103 runs.

Batting first after winning the toss, Kathmandu managed to score only 103 runs in 19.2 overs.

The top scorer for Kathmandu was Bhim Sarki, who made 31 runs off 40 balls, including one boundary. He was dismissed by Abhishesh Gautam’s delivery. Sarki was given a life in the 13th over when Vivek Yadav missed a run-out opportunity with him on 24 runs.

Dan Douthwaite played a brief knock of 21 runs, facing 24 balls before being caught by captain Rohit Paudel off Vivek Yadav’s bowling.

Kathmandu’s first wicket fell when Michael Levitt was dismissed for a duck, bowled by Raymond Simonds.

The second wicket came when Stephen Eskinazi was out for 13 runs, after facing 16 balls, bowled out by Abhishek Gautam.

Kathmandu’s third wicket fell with Gerhard Erasmus, who was dismissed for just 1 run, off 4 balls, bowled by Saad Bin Zafar.

Erasmus has had a poor run in the league, having scored a total of just 38 runs in 4 matches, with scores of 4 against Chitwan Rhinos, 38 against Karnali Yaks, and 10 against Sudurpashchim Royals.

Kathmandu’s captain, Karan KC, was dismissed for a duck, caught by Surya Tamang off his bowling, becoming the seventh wicket to fall.

For Lumbini, Saad Bin Jafar took 3 wickets, while Abhishesh Gautam and Raymond Simonds claimed 2 wickets each.

In Wednesday’s first match, Janakpur, the top team, was defeated by second-placed Sudurpashchim Royals. With one win and four losses from five games, Lumbini currently stands fifth on the points table.

After their recent victory over Chitwan Rhinos on Tuesday, Lumbini aims to continue their momentum in today’s match.

Lumbini faces elimination from the league if they lose today’s game, making them the first team to be knocked out.

So far, Lumbini has lost to teams including Biratnagar Kings, Pokhara Avengers, Sudurpashchim Royals, and Janakpur Bolts, with their lone win coming against Chitwan.

Kathmandu, with two losses and one win from three matches, is currently sixth in the standings. A victory today would significantly strengthen their chances of advancing to the playoffs.

Kathmandu Gurkhas Playing XI

Karan KC, Gerhard Erasmus, Bhim Sharki, Shahab Alam, Dipesh Kandel, Rashid Khan, Sumit Maharjan, Pratik Shrestha, Michael Levitt, Stephen Eskinazi, Dan Douthwaite

Lumbini Lions Playing XI

Rohit Paudel, Sandeep Jora, Vivek Yadav, Ashutosh Ghireya, Abishesh Gautam, Arjun Saud, Surya Tamang, Tom Moores, Unmukt Chand, Saad Bin Zafar, Raymond Simmons