KATHMANDU: Lumbini Lions have become the first team to qualify for the playoffs in the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) after defeating Karnali Yaks by 4 wickets on Thursday.
Chasing a target of 106 runs, Lumbini reached the goal in 16.4 overs, losing 6 wickets in the process. Darcy Short led the batting effort with 46 runs off 34 balls, including 6 fours and 1 six. Dilip Nath remained unbeaten on 28, while Niroshan Dickwella contributed 16 runs. For Karnali, Mark Watt was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 12 runs in his 4 overs, while Pawan Sarraf and Hussain Talat claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, after winning the toss at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Karnali were bowled out for 105 runs in 19.2 overs. Sompal Kami top-scored for the side with 28 runs, followed by Hussain Talat with 24. Lumbini captain Rohit Kumar Paudel, Abishek Gautam, and Darcy Short each took 2 wickets. Kishor Mahato, Ruben Trumpelmann, and Sher Malla picked up one wicket apiece.
With this victory, Lumbini moved to the top of the standings with 9 points from 6 matches. Karnali remains in seventh place with 4 points from 6 games. Lumbini is scheduled to face Biratnagar Kings in their final league match, while Karnali will play against Chitwan Rhinos.
