Kathmandu Gorkhas earned their first win of Nepal Premier League season three by chasing 181 to beat Karnali Yaks by four wickets in match 10 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, on 2 November. Kathmandu reached 181 for six in 19.4 overs, handing Karnali their first defeat after two opening wins.

Karnali, who chose to bat after losing the toss, posted 180 for six from their 20 overs. Opener Ariful Islam led the way with 44 from 22 balls, while Hussain Talat added 40 from 30 deliveries and Pawan Sarraf finished unbeaten on 30 from 23. Karnali had slipped to 78 for four before Talat and Sarraf rebuilt the innings with a 65-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Kathmandu's chase was built around a half-century from Rashid Khan, who scored 50 from 34 balls, and a rapid 44 from 20 balls by captain Karan KC, who also took two wickets and was named player of the match. Kathmandu had lost their opening match of the season, so the win lifts them off the mark and keeps them in touch in the race for the top four and the play-offs.

Why this win matters

Two points for a win make every early result count in the round-robin phase, and beating a side that had won both of its first two matches is a statement for Kathmandu. For Karnali, the defeat ends a perfect start but leaves them well placed, with the middle-order recovery showing they can post competitive totals even after losing early wickets. The two sides meet again later in the group stage, when net run rate could yet decide who reaches the play-offs.

Sources: Cricbuzz scorecard; Crictracker; NTV World.