KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Kings XI defeated Lalitpur Patriots by seven wickets in today’s inaugural match of the Everest Premier League (EPL) played at TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur on Saturday.

Chasing the 158-run target set by Lalitpur, Kathmandu reached the target in 14.2 overs by losing only 3 wickets.

Ryan Burl made the highest 73 runs and remained unbeaten to secure a win for Kathmandu. Khadka smashed three fours and seven sixes off 34 balls.

Likewise, Rahmanullah Gurbaz contributed 59 runs off 36 balls, Raju Rijal 19 runs, Amit Shrestha 4 runs in the match.

Earlier, invited to bat first after losing the toss, Lalitpur notched up 157 runs losing 8 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Pawan Sarraf scored the first half-century of Bajaj Pulsar EPL 2021.

He hit 61 runs including five fours and four sixes in 44 balls for Lalitpur after losing captain Kushal Bhurtel for zero in the first ball.

Similarly, Yogendra Singh Karki added 33 runs while Shankar Rana scored 14 runs.

Bhutanese player Ranjung Mikyo Dorji added an unbeaten 17 while Narayan Joshi scored 12 runs.

Oshada Fernando was dismissed for 4, Sandan Birakode for 2, and Rashid Khan for 1.

Lalit Rajbanshi remained unbeaten on zero runs. Kathmandu’s Jitendra Mukhiya took 4 wickets. Ryan Burl and Gulshan Jha took 2/2 wickets.

Kathmandu’s captain Sandeep Lamichhane and Shahid Afridi could not take any wickets.