Two-time defending champions Dhangadhi Stars lost their opening match of the third edition of Dhangadhi Premier League (DPL) at the Fapla grounds on Monday going down to Gyanendra Malla’s Kathmandu Goldens by four wickets.

Sompal Kami-led Stars, previously known as Team Chauraha Dhangadhi, made 132-5 after they were invited to bat first. The top three batsmen laid the foundation for victory before veteran Mehboob Alam sealed the chase leading the team to 133-6 with one ball to spare.

Indian recruit Gaurav Tomar began positively for Goldens scoring the bulk of runs in a 32-run opening wicket stand with Anil Kumar Sah. Tomar, known for his big hitting in Nepali domestic franchise leagues, struck a 24-ball 28 with three fours and two sixes. Another Indian cricketer Ankit Dabas then shared a crucial 57-run second wicket partnership as an easy victory loomed for Goldens.

But Stars’ last season’s player-of-the-tournament Rohan Mustafa of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) brought his team back into the game taking four wickets as Goldens went on to lose five wickets in a space of 15 runs. Mustafa removed Dabas and Sah in the 15th over before his compatriot Amir Hayat dismissed skipper Malla (three).

Goldens further buckled under pressure after Mustafa got rid of Sonu Tamang (two) and Yogendra Singh Karki (two) in the 17th over leaving them 29 runs to win from last 18 deliveries. The 18th over from Pawan Sarraf eased the chase for Goldens as they collected 12 runs that included a six from Bikram Bhushal. With 17 to win from last two overs, Bhushal (14 not out) struck Kami for six in the 19th over from which yielded nine runs.

Hayat bowled excellently in the first four balls in the last over giving away just four runs but Alam (12 not out) struck the winning boundary in the fifth delivery for the victory. Man-of-the-match Dabas scored 29 off 23 with two sixes and as many boundaries. Sah chipped in with 24 off 40 with two hits to the fence. Mustafa returned with figures of 4-27 from four overs.

Earlier, Stars had a disastrous start losing Mustafa to a run out in the third ball and Sunil Dhamala (three) with just six runs on the board. Amit Shrestha and Sandeep Rajali added 52 runs for the third wicket to consolidate the innings. Rajali made 28 from 35 balls with four boundaries and after his departure Shrestha added another 43 runs with Sarraf (19).

It was Saurav Khanal who provided the much-needed lift to Stars with a 10-ball cameo of 25 not out hitting three fours and a six. Shrestha was out in the 19th over making a run-a-ball 50 with four boundaries and two sixes. Nandan Yadav took 2-8 from three overs for Goldens.

Summaries

Kathmandu Goldens 133-6 in 19.5 overs (A Dabas 29, G Tomar 28; R Mustafa 4-27, B Khatri 1-17) beat Dhangadhi Stars 132-5 in 20 overs (A Shrestha 50, S Khanal 25; N Yadav 2-8, L Rajbanshi 1-20, A Dabas 1-21) by four wickets

Man-of-the-match: A Dabas

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Rupandehi Challengers 111 all out in 20 overs (S Maharjan 27, B Sob 16*; S Lohani 3-19, S Dhakal 2-20, A Bohara 2-18) beat Mahendranagar United 109-8 in 20 overs (S Anand 25, R Paudel 24; B Sob 3-24, P Mehra 2-13) by 2 runs

Man-of-the-match: B Sob