KATHMANDU: In eliminator of Everest Premier League 2021 (EPL 2021), skipper Sharad Bheswakar’s 49-run and an all-around masterclass from Kushal Malla helped Bhairahawa Gladiator beat Kathmandu Kings XI by 16 runs at TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur on Wednesday.
Bhairahawa Gladiators now face Pokhara Rhinos in the second Qualifier in their bid to make it to the EPL final against Chitwan Tiger on Saturday.
Chasing the target of 189 runs, Kathmandu could not meet the target in the allotted 20 overs and was limited to 172 runs only.
Earlier, Bhairahawa Gladiators set a target of 189- run in the eliminator. Elected to bat first after winning the toss, Bhairahawa scored 188 runs losing 8 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
Bhairahawa managed to give a good total to Kathmandu with the help of captain Sharad Bheshwakar, Kushal Malla, Pradip Airee, and Upul Tharanga.
Iqbal was out for 26 runs in 3.1 overs. He scored 9 runs off 9 balls. Pradip Airy and Upul Tharanga put Bhairahawa ahead. Airee returned to the pavilion scoring 39 runs off 27 balls.
Rohit Poudel was dismissed for the fourth wicket. Kushal Malla also batted aggressively and scored 32 runs off 20 balls with four sixes.
Sharad Bheshwakar, who was close to his half-century, returned to the pavilion for the sixth wicket.
Bheswakar scored 49 runs off 20 balls. He struck three sixes and seven fours. Arif Sheikh was run out for 15 runs for the seventh wicket.
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