Kathmandu Gorkhas secured an important five-wicket victory over Karnali Yaks on Sunday, successfully chasing a 150-run target with two overs to spare at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur.

The win, their fourth of the league, lifted Kathmandu to second place on the points table with eight points and moved them closer to a playoff berth.

Earlier, Karnali posted 149 for 7 in 20 overs after opting to bat first.

As in previous matches, the Karnali recovered from early pressure through lower-order resistance.

Gulshan top-scored with an unbeaten 49 off 22 balls, striking six fours and three sixes. He shared a 55-run partnership with Deepak Dumre after Karnali had slumped to 91 for 6 in the 15th over. Pawan Sarraf contributed 35 off 28 balls and Mark Watt added 30 from 25 deliveries.

Kathmandu’s bowling attack was led by Rashid Khan, who took 2 wickets, while captain Karan KC, Milind Kumar and Santosh Yadav picked up one each.

In reply, Kathmandu reached 155 for 5 in 18 overs. Bhim Sharki set the tone with a composed innings at the top, while the chase was anchored by Gerhard Erasmus and John Simpson. Erasmus remained unbeaten on 43 from 33 balls, hitting two fours and three sixes, and Simpson made 41 off 21 deliveries with four fours and two sixes. The pair added a crucial 86 runs for the fourth wicket, guiding Kathmandu out of early trouble.

For Karnali, Nandan Yadav took three wickets and Sarraf added one, but they were unable to contain Kathmandu’s acceleration in the middle overs.

With the result, Kathmandu moved ahead of Biratnagar on net run rate, both teams sitting on eight points.

Sudurpaschim, with 10 points from five matches, have already secured a playoff place.

Karnali, meanwhile, suffered their fourth defeat in five games, leaving their playoff hopes faint.