Lumbini Province defeated Far West United in the Super Over to maintain their unbeaten record in the Nepal T20 League on Wednesday.

Tailender Gulsan Jha scored an unbeaten 36 to rescue Lumbini from 85-7 and duplicate Far West’s 137 off 20 overs in a see-saw contest.

Chasing 138, Lumbini needed five runs in the final over but a controlled bowling from Karan KC helped Far West restrict Lumbini to 137-9.

South African Shadley van Schalkwyk—whose six off the last delivery gave Lumbini a thrilling win over Pokhara on Tuesday—was at the strike and looking for another nail-biting finish.

But KC dismissed Van Schalkwyk in the first delivery to turn the game on its head. Sagar Dhakal joined Jha but KC conceded only four runs in a tight spell, forcing the Super Over.

Sri Lankan wicketkeeper batsman Lahiru Milantha blasted two sixes and added six more runs with Schalkwyk to take 19 runs off Karan KC.

Far West captain and Afghanistan top order batter Hashmatullah Shahidi hit the first ball for a six with Binod Bhandari at the other end. But the duo could only manage 10 runs off Kishore Mahato as Lumbini racked up their fourth victory in as many matches.

Batting collapse

Earlier, opener Milantha scored 34 off 20 balls but Lumbini batting dramatically collapsed and were gasping on 48-5 when Bipul Sharma arrived at the crease. Sharma then added 31 to revive the chase and Jha played a crucial knock of 24-ball 36 to save Lumbini.

KC took 2-20 and Sher Malal returned 2-17 for Far West.

Sent in bat first after losing the toss, Far West opener Dev Khanal scored 48 off 42 balls to give his side a good start before Dhakal put struggling Hasim Ansari (11) out of misery.

Shahidi (32) joined Khanal for a 45-run stand to keep Far West in the game before Singh dismissed Khanal.

Bhim Sharki departed adding 15 before Schalkwyk (2-39) had Shahidi caught by Singh in the 17.3 overs. Bhandari contributed 11 and KC made 12 to take Far West to 137-6.

The win cements Biragnatar position at the top of the six-team standings with eight points–four off second placed Kathmandu Knights who have played a game less.

Far West are second from bottom with two points from three matches.

First win for Biratnagar

In the other action of the day, Biratnagar Super Kings beat Pokhara Avengers by six wickets for their first victory of the tournament.

Biratnagar elected to field first and restricted a winless Pokhara side to 139-7 in 19 overs. Kushal Malla top scored for Pokhara with 37 off 18 balls.

Siddhant Lohani provided the second highest score with 26, while captain Upul Tharanga added 19 runs.

Pakistani Hussain Talat and West Indies bowler Raj Nanan picked two wickets each for Biratnagar.

In reply, Talat hit an unbeaten half-century to guide Biratnagar to a comfortable victory.

Talat’s 50 off 30 balls that included four boundaries and one six came after a 47-run opening stand from West Indies batsman and captain Andre McCarthy (21) and Arjun Saud (25) had given Biratnagar a good start.

Malla and Sharad Vesawkar pocketed two wickets each for Pokhara.