Biratnagar Kings chased a 161-run target with one ball to spare to defeat Karnali Yaks by three wickets in the Nepal Premier League’s 16th match at the TU International Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur, on Friday.

Karnali posted 160 for three after opting to bat. Priyank Panchal anchored the innings with 63 off 47, striking six fours and two sixes. He put on a steady stand with William Bosisto, who finished unbeaten on 48 from 48. The pair helped Karnali rebuild after losing Mark Watt for six in the third over. Karnali reached 65 for one at the halfway stage and accelerated in the final five overs, with Gulsan Jha adding a brisk 20 off 10 and Najibullah Zadran finishing 12 not out from six.

Biratnagar’s bowling was led by Marchant de Lange and Sandeep Lamichhane, who took one wicket each. Lamichhane was the most economical, conceding 24 from his four overs. De Lange gave away 40 but broke the early partnership. Pratis GC and Basir Ahamad kept the scoring in check through the middle overs, though Karnali still closed on a competitive total.

Biratnagar’s chase began poorly. George Munsey fell for a duck in the second over, and Lokesh Bam and Sam Heazlett departed inside the powerplay, leaving the side wobbling at 29 for three. Sahil Patel tried to steady the innings with 19 off 24, but his dismissal at 63 for four deepened the pressure.

Basir Ahamad then produced the defining innings. Coming in at number five, he struck 62 not out off 43, hitting three fours and three sixes. He found support from Narayan Joshi, whose 25 from 16 lifted Biratnagar back into contention. Their sixth-wicket stand of 50 in just 26 balls shifted the momentum, pushing the chase past 130 in the 18th over.

Even after Joshi fell at the score of 134 for six, Biratnagar needed 27 from 2.2 overs. Pratis GC chipped in with six before falling, but Lamichhane kept calm at the end with an unbeaten six off four deliveries. Ahamad hit a six to seal the victory as the Kings needed four runs to win from two balls.

For Karnali, Sompal Kami led the attack with two for 33, removing Heazlett and GC at key moments. Gulsan Jha also took two wickets, including the scalp of Patel. William Bosisto delivered a tidy spell of one for 12 from three overs, but Karnali struggled to contain Ahamad’s hitting in the final phase.