Karnali Yaks ended Shikhar Dhawan’s stint in the Nepal Premier League on a high, securing a narrow seven-run win over Biratnagar Kings on Saturday at TU International Cricket Ground. The victory marked Yaks second in the tournament, while the Kings slumped to their third defeat.
Yaks’ Innings: Bosisto and Khanal Lead Amid Collapse
Put into bat, Karnali Yaks faced early trouble as Shikhar Dhawan, playing his final match, was dismissed for 5, bowled by Pratish GC. This marked the first and only time a Nepali bowler dismissed Dhawan in the competition. Chadwick Walton followed soon after, leaving the Yaks at 9/2.
Opener Dev Khanal and William Bosisto rescued the innings with a century stand for the third wicket. Khanal contributed a composed 53 off 41 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes. Player of the Match Bosisto anchored the innings with an elegant 66 off 49 balls, featuring six fours and three sixes, making good use of sweeps and reverse sweeps.
However, after Khanal’s dismissal in the 16th over, the Yaks middle and lower order collapsed, with four batters departing for ducks. Karnali managed to post 133, thanks to Bosisto’s efforts. Pratish GC starred with the ball for Biratnagar Kings, claiming 4/17, including a historic triple-wicket maiden in the final over, the first of its kind in Nepal’s franchise cricket. Aqib Ilyas and Chris Sole supported him with two wickets each.
Biratnagar skipper Sandeep Lamichhane, however, endured a tough outing, going wicketless for the third consecutive match, conceding 36 runs in his four overs.
Kings Chase: Top Order Fails To Deliver
Biratnagar Kings chase got off to a disastrous start, with Martin Guptill and Lokesh Bam both dismissed for ducks by Bipin Sharma. Bipin’s brilliant opening spell reduced the Kings to 29/2, with the top four batters failing to make any significant contribution.
Nicholas Kiron fought valiantly with a 40-run knock off 39 balls, but lacked support from the other end. Chris Sole attempted to spark a late surge, but Karnali’s bowlers held their nerve in the final overs.
Requiring 21 off the last two overs, Biratnagar could not find the boundaries they needed. Sompal Kami and Nandan Yadav bowled exceptional overs at the death, with Nandan dismissing Kings skipper Sandeep Lamichhane.
Yaks’ Bowlers Seal the Win
Nandan Yadav finished with figures of 4-0-19-3, leading the Yaks’ bowling attack. Bipin Sharma added 2/16, while Unish Thakuri, William Bosisto, and Sompal Kami chipped in with a wicket apiece.
This hard-fought victory marked a fitting end to Shikhar Dhawan’s journey with Karnali Yaks, while Biratnagar Kings remain in dire straits with their third defeat.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
