KATHMANDU: Sudurpaschim Royals have booked their place in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) playoffs after registering a seven-run victory over Kathmandu Gorkhas on Friday.
Batting first at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Sudurpaschim posted 125 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs, recovering from a disastrous start that saw them reduced to 8/4.
Captain Dipendra Singh Airee led the recovery with a composed 60 off 55 deliveries, while Tharindu Ratnayake remained unbeaten on 26. For Kathmandu, Jahandad Khan claimed three wickets and Santosh Yadav took two.
In response, Kathmandu Gorkhas managed 118/7 in 20 overs, falling seven runs short of the target. Rashid Khan contributed 35 runs, while Dushan Hemantha added 21. Sudurpaschim’s Anil Kharel took two wickets to help secure the victory.
With the win, Sudurpaschim climbed to the top of the points table with 10 points from seven matches, joining defending champions Lumbini Lions, who have already secured qualification with nine points.
Kathmandu Gorkhas remain third with eight points, while Biratnagar Kings occupy fourth place with six points.
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