- Karnali Yaks defeated Biratnagar Kings by four wickets in a last-ball thriller to secure their second consecutive Nepal Premier League victory.
- Sompal Kami earned Player of the Match honors, taking 4-33 and scoring an unbeaten 62 to lead a dramatic comeback from 57-5.
- Biratnagar’s Lokesh Bam hit a dominant 87, but his team suffered their second straight defeat despite Angelo Mathews' three-wicket haul.
- Kami and Gulsan Jha shared a crucial, unbroken 64-run partnership to successfully chase the formidable 187-run target with one ball remaining.
Kirtipur, Nepal: Sompal Kami delivered a sensational all-round performance to lead the Karnali Yaks to a dramatic four-wicket, last-ball victory over the Biratnagar Kings in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground on Thursday.
Chasing a formidable target of 187, Karnali reached 187 for 6 in 19.5 overs to seal a thrilling win with just one ball to spare. Kami remained unbeaten on a blistering 62 off 32 balls, anchoring a miraculous comeback after Karnali had crumbled to 57 for 5 in the opening seven overs.
Earlier, Biratnagar were put into bat after Karnali elected to field and posted 186 for 7 in their 20 overs. Opener Lokesh Bam set the foundation with an explosive 87 off 52 balls, featuring three fours and nine sixes. Bam shared a pivotal 71-run fourth-wicket partnership with veteran Angelo Mathews, who contributed 31. Late fireworks from Andre Russell (27 off 15 balls) and useful runs from Basir Ahamad helped Biratnagar set a competitive target.
Kami was the standout performer with the ball for Karnali as well, claiming 4 for 33 in his four overs. He removed key batters Bam, Mathews, Russell, and Charith Asalanka to restrict Biratnagar from setting an even higher score.
Karnali’s run-chase got off to a disastrous start as Biratnagar’s bowling attack ripped through their top order, reducing them to 57 for 5. Hussain Talat fell for a duck, while Mark Watt and Akbar Ali scored just one run each. Brief resistance came from Ariful Islam (32 off 12) and Deepak Dumre (20), but Karnali remained in deep trouble.
Kami then mounted the recovery alongside Pawan Sarraf, combining for a vital 66-run sixth-wicket stand. Sarraf departed after a steady 36 off 28 balls, leaving the match on a knife-edge.
Joined by Gulsan Jha, Kami shifted the momentum completely in Karnali’s favour. The pair put together an unbroken 64-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
With Karnali needing eight runs from the final over, a dropped catch off Jha on the third delivery provided a crucial lifeline. Kami then struck consecutive twos on the fourth and fifth deliveries to cross the finish line.
Kami’s match-winning knock included four boundaries and three sixes, while Jha remained unbeaten on 28 off 21 balls.
Mathews was the pick of the Biratnagar bowlers, taking 3 for 25, but his efforts were ultimately overshadowed by Karnali’s late fightback.
The result marks Karnali’s second consecutive victory in the tournament, while Biratnagar slumped to their second straight defeat. Unsurprisingly, Sompal Kami was named Player of the Match for his outstanding all-round display.
