Indian opener Harmeet Singh smashed a 70-run blitz as Lumbini All Stars pulled off a convincing 102-run victory over Kathmandu Knights on Wednesday to cement a qualifier spot of the Nepal T20 League as group toppers at the TU Ground in Kirtipur.

Opting to bat first, Lumbini smashed 183-6 in the 17-over match before they bowled out former national captain Gyanendra Malla-led Kathmandu at 81 runs in 15.4 overs. The game was reduced by three overs per side after Kathmandu did not arrive in time for the toss.

An eighth win after nine games of the league meant Kathmandu are assured top spot with a match in hand on 16 points while Kathmandu are third on eight points from as many matches.

Opener Singh cracked eight maximums and two hits to fences in his quick-fire knock of 36 balls. The player-of-the-match also shared a 98-run stand for the first wicket with Lahiru Milantha, who hit a 29-ball 26.

Bashir Ahamad made Singh caught by Sunam Gautam while Sri Lankan Milantha, who struck two boundaries and a six, was caught by Kamal Airee off Ahamad. Gulshan Jha (11-ball 21), Harry Tector (8-ball 17), Kushal Bhurtel (10-ball 15) and Anil Sah (not out 16 off 5) were other contributors for Lumbini.

Kathmandu bowler Abinash Bohara returned with figures of 4-0-32-3 while Ahamad picked two wickets conceding 35 runs in his two-over spell.

Kathmandu had a troubled start to their chase losing top four batters cheaply with just 16 runs on board. Ahamad scored 22 runs, the highest of the innings, facing 30 deliveries. Kamal Airee contributed 16 runs, while captain Gyanendra Malla and Lokesh Bam both scored 15 runs each.

Lumbini bowlers Harry Tector, Ishan Pandey and Kushal Bhurtel grabbed two wickets each.

In the late fixture, captain Rohit Paudel smashed a half century for Biratnagar Super Kings as they edged bottom of the table Far West United by six wickets to remain in the playoffs hunt.

Electing to bat first, Far West scored 156-9. Chasing the modest target, Biratnagar made 158-4 with three balls to spare and remained at fifth position in the standing with six points. Far West are at the bottom of the team in the six team contest that sends the top four teams into playoffs.

Binod Bhandari, who came to open the innings for Far West, contributed 45 off 38, the highest of the innings before he was run out. He hit six boundaries and two sixes. Captain Hasmatullah Shahidi (24-ball 27), Karan KC (11-ball 21 not out), Umair Ali (9-ball 16) and Milinda Siriwardana (8-ball 14) also contributed for Far West.

Biratnagar’s Shahab Alam was the pick of the bowling claiming three wickets in his four over spell conceding 43 runs while Keon Joseph pocketed two wickets.

In the run chase, Biratnagar captain Paudel scored 42 off 60 that included four fences and two sixes. The player-of-the-match Paudel, who came to bat at number three, was caught by Rashid Khan off Karan KC. Opener Pradeep Airee made a valuable contribution of 26-ball 40 before Noor Ahmad made him caught by Prakash Jaishi. Hussain Talat and Prithu Baskota scored 17 runs each with the latter remaining unbeaten.

KC, Jaishi, Ahmad and Shahadi claimed one wicket each for Far West.