Karnali Yaks set target of 119 for Janakpur Bolts

KATHMANDU: In the ongoing second qualifier, Janakpur Bolts have received a target of 119 runs from Karnali Yaks to secure a spot in the final of the Nepal Premier League (NPL).

Karnali, batting first after losing the toss at the TU Cricket Ground, scored 118 runs in 20 overs, losing 9 wickets.

Gulshan Jha was the top scorer for Karnali, contributing 25 runs off 20 balls, including 1 four and 2 sixes. Opener Dev Khanal made 24 runs off 20 balls, hitting 3 fours and 1 six before being dismissed by James Neesham and caught by Akash Tripathi.

William Bosisto added 14 runs off 15 balls, hitting 1 four, before being caught by wicketkeeper Lahiru Milantha off Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi’s delivery.

Zeeshan Maqsood scored 12 runs off 11 balls with 2 fours, while other batters failed to make significant contributions.

Captain Sompal Kami was out for 5 runs, Jaykishan Kolsolwala, who scored a half-century in the previous match, was dismissed for 1, and Arjun Gharti scored 2 runs.

Unis Vikram Singh Thakuri was dismissed for 12 runs, while Nandan Yadav remained not out at 4 runs.

For Janakpur, James Neesham, Mohammad Mohsin, and Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi each took 2 wickets, while Harsh Thaker and Sher Malla claimed 1 wicket each.

Janakpur, who were defeated by Sudurpashchim Royals in the first qualifier, got another chance to make it to the final.

Sudurpashchim, by winning the first qualifier, has already secured their place in the final.

Karnali, after winning the eliminator match against Chitwan Rhinos by 21 runs, advanced to the second qualifier.

The winner of the match between Karnali and Janakpur will face Sudurpashchim in the final for the title, while the loser will be eliminated from the tournament.

In the league stage, Karnali had defeated Janakpur by 8 wickets. The final will take place on Saturday