Karnali Yaks captain Sompal Kami produced a standout bowling performance to prevent Sudurpashchim Royals from posting a big total in Monday’s second match of the Nepal Premier League at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur.

Put in to bat first, the Royals managed only 139 runs, losing eight wickets. Kami dismantled the top and middle order with figures of 3 for 32, including a maiden over.

He struck with the very first ball of the innings, bowling Josh Brown, and later broke a threatening sixth-wicket stand by uprooting Harmeet Singh’s leg stump. His third wicket came in unusual fashion—Naren Saud was dismissed hit-wicket in Kami’s final over.

Nandan Yadav supported with 2 for 11 from his three overs, while Mark Watt, Bipin Sharma and Yubraj Khatri claimed a wicket each.

Dipendra Singh Airee top-scored for the Royals with 39 off 28, hitting a four and two sixes. He and Harmeet added 48 runs for the sixth wicket before Kami intervened.

Brown’s first-ball dismissal early put the Royals under pressure. Binod Bhandari contributed 11, Chris Lynn made 18, and lower-order batters Scott Kuggeleijn (10) and Saud failed to lift the total.

The Royals had won their first two matches—against Kathmandu Gorkhas and Pokhara Avengers—while Karnali entered the fixture with one win and one loss. Last season, the Royals had defeated Karnali by six wickets in the final league match to seal a playoff berth.