Lumbini Lions marched into Qualifier 2 of the Nepal Premier League after defeating Kathmandu Gorkhas by four wickets in Wednesday’s Eliminator at the TU International Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur.

The Lions chased down the 112-run target in 17.4 overs and will now face Biratnagar Kings on Thursday for a place in the final against Sudurpaschim Royals.

Kathmandu, sent in to bat, were bundled out for 111 in 19.1 overs following a sustained and disciplined bowling assault from Lumbini. Sher Malla struck with the first ball of his spell, dismissing Aakash Tripathi for one, opening the floodgates for a collapse. Malla returned excellent figures of 3 for 22, matched by captain Rohit Paudel who claimed 3 for 25.

Ruben Trumpelmann maintained relentless pressure, taking 2 for 10 in 3.1 overs, while Abhishesh Gautam added one wicket despite conceding 33 runs.

Sunny Patel briefly counterattacked with a six but managed only seven before Trumpelmann trapped him lbw. The Namibian then removed Ben Charlesworth for four. Milind Kumar fell for two, bowled by Malla, and Bhim Sarki’s 14 off 16 ended when Paudel struck twice in one over, also removing John Simpson for 18.

Kathmandu continued to tumble as Rashid Khan departed for two. Mohammad Adil Ansari provided late resistance, smashing 18 off 11 with two sixes and a four before Malla bowled him. Kathmandu skipper Karan KC hit a six in his nine-run cameo, while Santosh Yadav top-scored with 23. Shahab Alam remained unbeaten on four.

In reply, Lumbini progressed steadily. Opener Dinesh Adhikari fell early for four, but his partner D'Arcy Short anchored the chase with a composed 33 off 34 balls, striking two sixes. Paudel added 18 from 25 balls, while Sandeep Jora contributed a handy 23, hitting a four and a six.

Niroshan Dickwella chipped in with 14 off 14, followed by Dilip Nath’s brief stay for seven. Trumpelmann then returned with the bat to finish the job, hitting the winning boundary.

For Kathmandu, Santosh Yadav picked up two wickets, while Patel, Alam, Karan and Rashid took one each.

Lumbini will now face Biratnagar Kings in Thursday’s Qualifier 2, with the winner booking a place in Saturday’s title showdown against Sudurpaschim Royals.