In what is already being dubbed the most thrilling finish of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 2, the Biratnagar Kings pulled off a spectacular, last-gasp win against the Karnali Yaks by three wickets at the TU International Cricket Ground. The match came down to the final two balls, with the Kings needing four runs for victory.
Karnali Yaks Set a Hard-Fought Target
Winning the toss and electing to bat, the Karnali Yaks posted a competitive total of 160 for 3 in their 20 overs. Opener Priyank Panchal anchored the innings with a patient but effective 63 off 47 balls, sharing a crucial 96-run partnership with William Bosisto, who remained unbeaten on 48 (48). A late surge from Gulshan Jha (20 off 10) and Najibullah Zadran (12 off 6)* pushed the Yaks past the 160-mark, setting a challenging 161-run target.
The Kings’ bowling attack, led by captain Sandeep Lamichhane (1/24), managed to keep a tight leash in the middle overs despite the late acceleration.
Kings’ Chase: A Rollercoaster of Wickets and Resistance
Biratnagar Kings’ chase got off to a disastrous start. Their top order, including star opener George Munsey, crumbled quickly, and they found themselves reeling at 65 for 5 by the 12th over. The required run rate soared, and a Karnali victory seemed all but certain.
However, entering at number five, Basir Ahamad began a defiant counter-attack that turned the game on its head. He combined calculated risks with power-hitting, stitching together vital partnerships with the lower-middle order.
The Game-Changing Partnership: Ahamad’s resilience kept the Kings in the hunt, but the equation still looked insurmountable in the final few overs.
The Nail-Biting Finale: Ahamad Seals the Deal
The climax reached its peak in the final over, with Biratnagar Kings needing 10 runs for a win. Karnali entrusted the ball to medium-pacer Nandan Yadav.
- Yadav began well, only conceding singles and a double from the first four balls, bringing the equation to 4 runs needed off 2 balls.
- The tension was palpable as Yadav ran in for the fifth delivery. Ahamad, on strike, received a leg-sided delivery and, with nerves of steel, flicked it powerfully over the deep square leg boundary for a massive six!
The ball sailed over the ropes, securing an improbable victory for the Biratnagar Kings with one ball to spare. Basir Ahamad finished with a heroic, unbeaten 62 runs off just 43 balls, single-handedly guiding his team to a stunning three-wicket win.
The spectacular performance moves the Biratnagar Kings up the points table after a breathtaking night of cricket.
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