KIRTIPUR — Kathmandu Gorkhas pulled off a thrilling four-wicket victory over Karnali Yaks in the Nepal Premier League 2026, chasing down 181 with just two balls remaining at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
Captain Karan KC produced the match-winning all-round performance for Kathmandu. After taking two wickets with the ball, he smashed 44 from just 20 deliveries to change the momentum of the chase and was deservedly named Player of the Match.
Karnali Yaks had earlier posted a competitive 180 for six in 20 overs, but Kathmandu reached 181 for six in 19.4 overs to seal an exciting win.
Karnali Yaks put up 180
Karnali lost Jishan Alam early, but Ariful Islam quickly put pressure back on Kathmandu’s bowlers.
Ariful struck 44 from only 22 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes. His aggressive innings gave Karnali an excellent start before Kathmandu fought back with regular wickets.
Mark Watt scored 17 and Deepak Dumre added eight, leaving Karnali at 78 for four midway through the innings.
That was when Pawan Sarraf and Hussain Talat brought stability.
Talat scored 40 from 30 balls, while Pawan remained unbeaten on 30 from 24. Their partnership helped Karnali rebuild before Gulshan Jha provided another late boost with 20 from 12 deliveries.
Karnali finished on 180 for six, setting Kathmandu a target of 181.
Karan KC led Kathmandu’s bowling attack with 2 for 35 from four overs, while Shahab Alam, Jahandad Khan, Dev Shah and Santosh Yadav picked up one wicket each.
Warner starts quickly but departs early
Kathmandu Gorkhas began the chase aggressively through David Warner, who struck three boundaries in his 16 from 10 balls.
But Sompal Kami removed Warner in the second over, and Smit Patel followed for nine as Kathmandu slipped to 28 for two.
Mohammad Aadil Alam tried to rebuild the innings but struggled to increase the scoring rate, making 20 from 27 balls.
Kathmandu needed someone to take control.
Rashid Khan stepped up.
Rashid played a crucial innings of 50 from 33 balls, including three fours and two sixes. His half-century kept Kathmandu within reach of the target despite the wickets falling around him.
Karan KC changes the game
The match turned when Karan KC arrived at the crease.
Kathmandu still needed to accelerate, and Karan wasted little time. The captain attacked the Karnali bowlers from the start, smashing four fours and three sixes in a rapid 44 from 20 balls.
His innings shifted the pressure completely.
Karan and Rashid helped Kathmandu add valuable runs through the middle and death overs before both were dismissed late in the chase.
When Karan fell at 160 for six after 18 overs, Kathmandu still needed 21 runs from the final 12 balls.
The game was still open.
Jahandad finishes the chase
Jahandad Khan made sure Karan’s effort did not go to waste.
The all-rounder remained unbeaten on 22 from just 10 balls, hitting one four and two sixes. Santosh Yadav supported him with an unbeaten five.
Kathmandu reached the target at 181 for six in 19.4 overs, completing the chase with two deliveries left.
For Karnali, Sompal Kami and Hussain Talat claimed two wickets each, while Mark Watt and Nandan Yadav took one apiece.
Karan KC delivers when Kathmandu need him most
The result ultimately belonged to Kathmandu captain Karan KC.
His 2 for 35 with the ball helped prevent Karnali from pushing beyond 180, while his explosive 44 from 20 balls gave Kathmandu the acceleration they desperately needed during the chase.
Rashid Khan’s half-century and Jahandad Khan’s finishing effort were equally valuable, but Karan’s contribution in both innings made him the standout player.
For Kathmandu Gorkhas, it was a hard-earned victory. For Karnali Yaks, it was a painful defeat after putting themselves in a strong position for much of the contest.
Brief scores: Karnali Yaks 180/6 in 20 overs (Ariful Islam 44, Hussain Talat 40, Pawan Sarraf 30*; Karan KC 2/35) lost to Kathmandu Gorkhas 181/6 in 19.4 overs (Rashid Khan 50, Karan KC 44, Jahandad Khan 22*) by four wickets.
Player of the Match: Karan KC — 44 off 20 balls and 2/35.
