Karan KC-led Biratnagar Warriors crashed out of the league stage of the Everest Premier League after losing four matches in a row as they succumbed to a seven-wicket defeat against Pokhara Rhinos in the Twenty20 cricket tournament at the TU grounds in Kirtipur on Saturday.

Biratnagar, yet to win a single match in the six-team contest, are pointless and bowed out with a match in hand. Pokhara led by Binod Bhandari climbed to the second place with five points after their second victory. They will play the last match of the league round against Kathmandu Kings XI on Monday.

Put to bat first, Biratnagar posted a challenging total of 172-5. Pokhara's overseas players shone with the bat surpassing the target for the loss of three wickets with 14 balls to spare.

Though Biratnagar kept losing wickets at regular intervals, all their top order batters except opener Chandrapaul Hemraj bowled by Bikram Sob for two runs, made modest contributions with bat. His opening partner Aasif Sheikh played 33-ball 44 that included four fences. Dilshan Munaweera and Anil Sah contributed 16 runs and 12 runs respectively.

Skikadar Raza played a quickfire 29 runs off 20 deliveries with a boundary and three sixes. Sandi Rajali and Karan KC remained unbeaten on 28 runs and 24 runs respectively. Rajali hit two fours and a six in his 22-ball knock while KC smashed three sixes facing nine deliveries.

Pokhara bowler Sob pocketed two wickets in his four-over bowling conceding 33 runs. Nandan Yadav, Bibek Yadav and Sahan Arachchige picked one wicket each.

Chasing the target, Pokhara's South African batter Richard Levi and Sri Lankan duo Sahan Arachchige and Asela Gunaratne made ideal contributions with bat. Opener Levi smashed 26-ball 47 that included four fences and three sixes. He shared a 76-run partnership for the second wicket with Arachchige before being caught by Hari Chauhan off Sikandar Raza.

Arachchige cracked 43 off 36 that included four boundaries and a six. He was caught by Anil Sah off Chauhan. Gunaratne remained unbeaten on exactly 50 runs. He hit four fences and three sixes in his 24-ball knock. Captain Binod Bhandari was not out on 15 runs facing 16 deliveries.

Raza, Chauhan and Pratish GC pocketed one wicket each for Biratnagar.

The day's early fixture between Bhairahawa Gladiators and Kathmandu Kings XI was abandoned without a ball being bowled. The match will be rescheduled.

Biratnagar will take on Kathmandu in the early fixture on Sunday while Chitwan Tigers are set to play against Lalitpur Patriots in the next game.