Chitwan’s win has effectively closed the door for two teams: Biratnagar Kings and Pokhara Avengers. For Kathmandu Gurkhas to secure their place in the playoffs, they must win by a significant margin and hope Karnali Yaks lose their game. To surpass Chitwan in the standings, the Gurkhas need a staggering win margin of 142 runs (if they post 200 runs on the board)—an almost impossible task. If the Gurkhas bat first and score 170, they would need to win by 70 runs to overtake the Yaks in net run rate. Therefore, their best chance lies in defeating Biratnagar Kings by a sizable margin and relying on Karnali to lose by a similar margin to ensure the Yaks’ net run rate drops below theirs.
The Biratnagar Kings faced a heartbreaking loss in the super over but quickly bounced back with a dominant victory over the Chitwan Tigers, significantly boosting their net run rate. However, their playoff hopes were dashed when Chitwan Rhinos defeated Janakpur Bolts by 32 runs. In that game, Sandeep Lamichhane impressed with the ball, while Martin Guptill delivered with the bat. Bashir Ahmad and Rajesh Pulami also contributed valuable runs to the cause.
For the first time in this Nepal Premier League (NPL), a Kathmandu Gurkhas batter scored a fifty when Stephen Eskinazi smashed 60 off 34 balls. The team also achieved their best-ever powerplay score of 59/1. Several things clicked in their favor, with three overseas professionals making significant contributions. The Gurkhas will need another strong performance from them in this crucial encounter if they hope to keep their playoff dreams alive.
Probable Playing XI (Biratnagar Kings)
Lokesh Bam (WK)
Martin Guptill
Scott Edwards
Naren Bhatta
Nicholas Kirton
Basir Ahamad
Dipak Bohara
Pratish GC
Sandeep Lamichhane (c)
Chris Sole
Anil Kharel
