KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 30

Lumbini All Stars recorded their fifth consecutive victory to strengthen their playoffs chances, while Pokhara Avengers tasted win in the fifth match of the Nepal T20 Cricket League here at the TU Stadium today.

The All Stars defeated Kathmandu Knights by 35 runs to maintain their unbeaten run in the official T20 premier tournament organised by the Cricket Association of Nepal. Batting first, the All Stars posted 150-8 in their allotted 20 overs before restricting the Knights to 115-8.

Skipper Dipendra Singh Airee top scored for the All Stars with 40 off 27 balls that included three fours and a six, while opener Lahiru Milantha was the next best scoring 18-ball 25 with the help of two sixes. Shadley van Schalkwyk hit one each four and six in his unbeaten 15-ball 21, while Kushal Bhurtel contributed 19.

Anil Sah (13) and Harmeet Singh (12) also scored in double figures. Azmatullah Omarzai grabbed 2-12 for the Knights, while Abinash Bohara, Anil Kharel, Basir Ahamad, Sunam Gautam and Alex Blake took one wicket each.

In reply, Harmeet Singh, Kishore Mahato and Tilak Bhandari destroyed the Knights top order reducing them to 22-5.

Sunam Gautam and Omarzai added 49 runs for the sixth wicket but they were dismissed in the space of seven runs that effectively ended their hopes of chasing the target.

Omarzai top scored with 38 off 29 balls with the help of three sixes, while Kamal Airee remained unbeaten on 10-ball 19 that included two sixes.

Gautam contributed 18, while Alex Blake (11) and Basir Ahamad (10) scored in double figures.

Player-of-the-match Harmeet Singh took 3-7 for the All Stars, while Mahato, van Schalkwyk, Bhandari and Harry Tector bagged one wicket each.

In another match, the Avengers bounced back after four defeats and beat Far West United by three wickets. The United posted 187-9 in 20 overs before the Avengers reached 188-7 with five balls to spare.

The Avengers openers Sumit Maharjan and Aasif Sheikh made flying start to their chase putting up 65 runs in 6.3 overs.

Sheikh and Kushal Malla then added 52 runs for the third wicket before Prakash Jaishi removed both of them in the 14th over.

Sheikh top scored with 45 off 33 balls that included two each fours and sixes, while Maharjan hit five fours and two sixes in his 22-ball 38. Malla struck five sixes in his quick fire 40 off 22 balls.

Ameer Hamza (12) and Siddhant Lohani shared a 36-run partnership for the fifth wicket in less than three overs to take the team close to victory before they were dismissed in the space of three runs. Lohani hit a four and two sixes in his 10-ball 23.

Abhimanyu Mithun (eight) and Bipin Khatri (six) took the team without further loss. Karan KC, Umair Ali and Prakash Jaishi grabbed two wickets each for the United.

Earlier, Umair Ali hit five sixes in his 26-ball 42, while United opener Dev Khanal scored 33 off 31 balls that included three fours and a six. Rashid Khan hit two each fours and sixes in his 15- ball 32. Hasim Ansari and Bhim Sharki contributed 17 runs each.

Zahir Khan was the pick of the Avengers bowlers taking 3-24 from four overs, while Ameer Hamza and Tul Thapa grabbed two wickets each. Player-of-the-match Kushal Malla and Aarif Sheikh bagged one wicket apiece.

A version of this article appears in the print on December 31, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.