KATHMANDU: Gyanendra Malla's Kathmandu Goldens secured their berth in the qualifier of the Ruslan Dhangadhi Premier League Twenty20 Cricket Tournament recording a five-wicket victory over Paras Khadka led Biratnagar Kings, their fourth successive win of the competition, on Friday.

In the only match of the day played at SSP grounds, Dhangadhi, Kings won the toss and posted 164-8 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, table topper Goldens reached to 170-5 in 20 overs with the help of half-century from skipper Malla.

Kings who had emerged victorious in their last two matches, made a positive start to the innings with the openers Anil Kumar Sah and Dilip Nath creating a 38-run partnership for the first wicket. Sah made 10 runs while Nath scored 27-ball 33 that included four boundaries and one six. Hong Kong international Babar Hayat smashed 67 runs off 33 balls, hitting seven sixes and three fours. Likewise, Basant Regmi (10), skipper Paras Khadka (8) and Prithu Baskota (11) were other contributors.

Lalit Rajbanshi was pick of the Goldens bowlers as he took 3-18 and he was supported by foreign recruit Rashaid Khan who claimed two wickets. Similarly, Sushan Bhati added another wicket for the winning side.

Meanwhile, Goldens failed to make a desired start to the innings as they lost their openers Amit Shrestha (5) and Sushan Bhati (10) cheaply. However, Bhuvan Thapa who came to bat at third number tried to ease the pressure smashing 28-ball 36, chipping in three boundaries and two sixes.

Skipper Malla scored 68 runs off 40 balls cracking five boundaries and four sixes. Likewise, Puspa Thapa (24) and Sunny Patel (25) were two other batsmen to reach double figures for the winning team.

Basant Regmi bagged two wickets for Kings whereas Paras Khadka, Shubham Kamat and Manjeet Shrestha added one wicket each.

Both Goldens and Kings will play their last matches of round-robin on Sunday. Goldens will face Mahendra United and Kings will take on CYC Attariya.