Gyanendra Malla-led Colors bundled our Legends, captained by Binod Bhandari, for 105 runs in 38.3 overs. Skipper Malla led from the front contributing 36 runs as Colors chased down the paltry target in 27.3 overs. The win saw Colors climb to fifth spot with two points from three matches while Legends lie third with four points from as many matches. Malla said he was happy his team were able to execute their plans. “Good performance from both the bowlers and batsmen did the job for us today. It feels really good to taste victory after two straight defeats,” said Malla.

After openers Subash Pradhan and Fazlur Rehman Khan got out adding 13 runs each, Hari Shankar Sah took over the batting responsibility. He remained 33 not out as Colors raced to victory in 27.3 overs. Nishal Pandey took 4-30 for Legends. Sah and Malla rescued Colors, steering the team to 88-4 from 34-3.

Earlier, Sanjam Regmi finished with 3-23 while Mohammad, Sah and Kumar Thapa scalped two wickets each to restrict Legends to a modest total. Rahul Kumar BK top scored for Legends with 22 runs. Sunil Dhamala (19) and former national team opener Paresh Lohani (18) were the only other two meaningful contributors.

In Kanchanpur, Shakti Gauchan-led Jagdamba Giants leaped to second position in the standings with a crushing six-wicket win over Paras Khadka-led Vishal Warriors. Giants contained Warriors for 138-8 in 50 overs. Hasim Ansari smashed a half century as Giants surpassed the target for the loss of four wickets in 34.3 overs. Ansari anchored Giants’ innings with his 54-ball 50 that included four fours and two sixes. Prem Tamang scored unbeaten 39 and Sompal Kami made 25 not out to guide their team home.

Warriors skipper Khadka said a disciplined Giants bowling put brakes on their run scoring. “We are a young team but are getting better with each match. We hope to fare well in our remaining matches,” said Khadka.

Earlier, Gauchan (3-15) had put Giants into a driving seat. Gaurav Singh had denied Warriors a good start getting rid of the openers Raul Rijal (0) and Adil Khan (8) early on. Suraj Kurmi and Khadka consolidated the innings with a 47-run stand for the third wicket. But Gauchan got took two quick wickets to put Warriors on the back foot. The Giants’ skipper had the dangerman Khadka (22) stumped in 28.2 overs before dismissing Nurdhoj Sen (7).

Warriors’ hopes of posting a decent total was extinguished when a dogged 114-ball innings of Kurmi (33) came to an end, bowled by Shuvankar Sanyasi in 41.1 overs. The win saw, Warriors swap the bottom spot with Colors with two points in the six-team standings. Better run rate saw Colors climb to fifth despite having tied on points.