NPL Kathmandu Gorkhas vs Karnali Yaks Highlights : Gorkhas Clinical 5 wickets Victory Over Yaks

The Nepal Premier League (NPL) Kathmandu Gorkhas strengthened their playoff hopes with a  five-wicket win over the Karnali Yaks at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. Gerhard Erasmus composed innings and John Simpson fireworks guide Gorkhas to win 4 match of the tournament and moves on to second position . while Karnali yaks suffered third consecutive defeat

Karnali Yaks chose to bat first after winning the toss, but the innings started in the worst possible manner. On the very first ball, Gorkhas captain Karan KC struck a massive blow by dismissing opener Priyank Panchal with an excellent caught-and-bowled. The situation became even tougher for the Yaks when William Bosisto was run out for just 1, putting them under immense pressure

After two wickets fall quickly the responsibility to rebuild fell on Mark Watt and Pawan Sarraf. The pair did a good job of calming the situation, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries. Together, they added a crucial 59-run partnership for the third wicket and provide much needed stability. Mark Watt add valueable 30 runs off 27 balls, hitting one four and two sixes  and ended his innings with unfortunate run-out . Sarraf continued to guide the innings, scoring  35 runs from 29 deliveries, including two boundaries and two sixes.Najibullah Zadran (12) and skipper Sompal Kami (6) departed quickly, leaving the Yaks at 88/6 .

The turning point of the Yaks innings came from  Gulshan Jha, who played a stunning unbeaten knock. Entering the crease under  pressure, Jha changed the tempo of the match with fearless power-hitting. He smashed 49 runs off just 22 balls, hitting six fours and three huge sixes, and completely shifted the momentum.Jha also stitched a 55-run stand with Deepak Dumre 10 off 12, lifting the team to a fighting total of 149 for 7 in 20 overs.

Rashid Khan was the stand out bowler for Kathmandu Gorkhas took 2/37 in 4 overs while karan kc , Milind Kumar and Santosh Yadav chipped with one wicket each.

Chasing 150 , Kathmandu Gorkhas got shaky start when Akash Tripathi fell on 8 runs dismissed by Nandan yadav gave good start for the team,  despite lose wickets Ben Charlesworth  played  flourish innings 34 off 21 balls, featuring two fours and hitting 3 big sixes.  Gave steady Start of the team and Milind Kumar added 15 runs off 19 balls.

The chase settled again thanks to an important partnership between Gerhard Erasmus and John Simpson. Simpson played the attacking role, blasting 41 runs from just 21 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes . Erasmus composed innings and stayed till the end, scoring an unbeaten 43 runs off 33 deliveries to guide the team to victory.

Gorkhas comfortably reached the target of 150 runs with two overs left, finishing on 155/5 in 18 overs.

Match summary 

Toss : Karnali yaks won the toss and Opted to bat first

Karnali yaks innings : 149/7 in 20 overs

Top scorer : Gulshan Jha unbeaten 49 runs off 21 deliveries,  Pawan Sarraf 35 runs off 29 balls

Top Bowler : Rashid Khan 2/37 in 4 overs, Milind Kumar 1/24 in 4 overs

Kathmandu Gorkhas innings : 155/5 in 18 overs

Top scorer : Gerhard Erasmus 43* runs off 33 deliveries, John Simpson 41 runs off 21 balls

Top Bowler: Nandan yadav 3/ 35 in 4 overs, Pawan Sarraf 1/15 in 2 overs

Result : Kathmandu Gorkhas won by 5 wickets

Player of the match : Gerhard Erasmus unbeaten 43 runs off 33 deliveries .