Kathmandu Gorkhas produced a dominant performance to beat defending champions Lumbini Lions by 36 runs in the Nepal Premier League cricket tournament on Saturday.

Chasing a target of 161 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Lumbini were bowled out for 124 in 19.3 overs.

The defeat ended Lumbini’s unbeaten run, which had stretched to 11 matches. They had lost to Sudurpaschim Royals by seven wickets in the league stage last year before winning their next six matches to lift the title. This season, Lumbini had won three of their first four matches, with their game against Chitwan Rhinos abandoned due to rain.

With their third consecutive victory, Kathmandu moved back to second in the standings with six points. Sudurpaschim Royals also have six points, but Kathmandu sit above them on net run rate. Lumbini remain top with seven points.

Pakistan fast bowler Jahandad Khan gave Kathmandu a sensational start, dismissing D’Arcy Short for four and Aasif Sheikh for one, caught behind, in the second over of the innings. Captain Karan KC then removed Lumbini skipper Rohit Paudel for a duck, also caught behind, in the third over.

Jahandad struck again in his second over, bowling Niroshan Dickwella and Dilip Nath to leave Lumbini reeling at 21-5 after four overs. Dickwella scored 14 off seven balls, including three fours.

Karan trapped Italian all-rounder Grant Stewart lbw for six. Ruben Trumpelmann made 11 off 16 balls, including a six, before being dismissed.

Sundeep Jora top-scored for Lumbini with 44. He was dismissed by Shahab Alam in the 18th over after facing 45 balls and hitting three fours.

Sahan Arachchige bowled Sher Malla for 12 to take the final wicket. Jahandad finished with four wickets for 23 runs from four overs, while Karan took two for 24 from his four. Shahab claimed one wicket for 18 runs in four overs, and Rashid Khan took one for 20 in three.

Earlier, Kathmandu, sent in to bat after losing the toss, made 160-8 in their 20 overs, thanks to a century stand between openers David Warner and Sahil Patel.

The pair added 104 runs in 14 overs, the second century opening partnership of the tournament. Lokesh Bam and Imran Sheikh of Biratnagar Kings had earlier put on 107 against Janakpur Bolts.

Sher Malla gave Lumbini their first breakthrough, dismissing Patel for 38. Patel faced 36 balls and hit two fours and two sixes.

Australian batter Warner made 66 off 50 balls. He reached his half-century in 33 balls and hit nine fours and a six before falling to Sher. Warner was named Player of the Match.

Karan, promoted to number three, made nine off 10 balls before being caught and bowled by Abhishesh Gautam. Abhishesh then bowled Will Bosisto, who attempted a reverse sweep, with the next delivery.

Rashid Khan made one. Jahandad hit a six but was dismissed for six off three balls.

Mohammad Aadil Alam was run out for one, while Santosh Yadav was run out for two.

Arachchige remained unbeaten on 34 off 15 balls, hitting three fours and a six.

For Lumbini, Abhishesh, Sher and Trumpelmann took two wickets each. Abhishesh conceded 15 runs in four overs, Sher 19, and Trumpelmann 24 in three overs.