Karnali Yaks strengthened their chances of reaching the playoff stage of the Nepal Premier League T20 cricket tournament after they defeated already-eliminated Lumbini Lions by five runs in a thrilling match at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Friday.

Defending a modest 129-run target, Karnali’s disciplined bowling unit restricted Lumbini to 123-7 in the allotted 20 overs.

Lumbini were looking to wrap up their campaign with a consolation win but they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, with Tom Moores’ 36 run off 35 providing the highest score of the innings.

Zeeshan Maqsood spearheaded Karnali’s bowling attack with figures of 2-12 in his tight three-over spell including the wickets of skipper Rohit Paudel (10 off 8) and opener Ashutosh Ghiraiya (16 off 21).

Arjun Saud (13 off 6) was the first to depart, caught by Gulsan Jha off Sompal Kami’s delivery.

Lumbini were reeling at 40-3 but Moores and Sundeep Jora (24 off 21) staged a brief recovery with a 51-run stand for the fourth wicket.

However, William Bosisto’s breakthrough wicket of Jora in the 13.5 overs started Lumbini’s downfall as Ben Cutting (1) and Moores were sent packing in quick succession.

Saad Bin Zafar’s late cameo of 16 off 11 provided Lumbini some hopes but his run out in the 18.1 over sealed Lumbini’s fate.

Earlier, invited to bat first, Karnali’s innings struggled to gain momentum, slipping to 47-4 after 10.1 overs with Dev Khanal (3), Babar Hayat (20 off 22), Gulsan Jha (8) and Chadwick Walton (13 off 15) all failing to make significant impact.

Bosisto and Arjun Gharti shared a 72-run stand for the fifth wicket to steady the ship.

Gharti (25 off 25) departed in the 18.5 overs after Simmonds caught and bowled him, and Bosisto (44 off 33) soon followed, trapped lbw by Bikash Aagri.

Kami added a brisk 3-ball 7 to lead Karnali to 128-8.

A fourth straight victory propelled Karnali to third spot, putting them firmly in contention for playoffs with eight points and one match remaining.

Leaders Janakpur Bolts, on ten points, have already qualified with a match to spare.

Biratnagar see off Chitwan

Biratnagar Kings also kept alive their slim chances of progressing into the playoffs with a 51-run victory over Chitwan Rhinos, courtesy of an unbeaten half-century from Basir Ahamad.

Biratnagar opted to bat first but got off to a disastrous start, losing Lokesh Bam (0), Dipak Bohara (4), Scott Edwaruds (0) in the space of ten balls, with Dhakal striking twice in the first over.

Nicholas then departed adding just eight runs that saw Biratnagar reduced to 33-4.

But Ahamad orchestrated a remarkable recovery smashing an unbeaten 68 off 44 balls and sharing a 65-run partnership with opener Martin Guptill (45 off 35) and an unbeaten 83-run stand with Rajesh Pulami (33 not out off 20) to guide Biratnagar to a commanding total of 181-5.

Chitwan began their chase on a poor note with Hassan Eisakhil falling for 5.

Santosh Karki (28 off 25) and Ravi Bopara (20 off 24) added 46 runs for the second wicket to revive the innings

But wickets continued to tumble regularly.

Sandeep Lamichhane struck twice to remove Karki and Basil Ahamad (1) and Subash Bhandari removed Bopara to keep Chitwan under pressure at 64-4.

Amar Routela and Kushal Malla then led another resurgence with a 41-run stand but Chris Sole broke their stand in the 16.5 overs sending back Malla (25 off 25).

Routela kept fighting with a valiant 42 off 29 but his effort proved insufficient as Chitwan could only manage 130-6.

Biratngar now sit in fifth position with four points from six matches, two points behind Chitwan who dropped to fourth.