Kathmandu, December 16

Lalitpur Patriots defeated Bhairahawa Gladiators by six wickets to register their fourth straight victory in the TVS Everest Premier League here at the TU Stadium today.

Batting first, the Gladiators were bowled out for a paltry 92 runs in 19 overs before Patriots raced to 94-4 with 34 balls to spare. The victory was Patriots’ fourth in a row after facing defeat against Biratnagar Warriors in the tournament opener, while Gladiators suffered their second straight loss after sealing the playoffs berth with three straight wins.

Patriots lead the standing with eight points, while Gladiators are second with six, ahead of Kathmandu Kings XI in superior run rate. The three teams have already confirmed berths in playoffs, while Biratnagar Warriors and Chitwan Tigers are in race for the remaining one spot. Warriors will face Kings on Monday and the match is equally important for both the teams.

Kings, who are currently third in the table, can sneak to the top of the table with a win, while Warriors can move to second. If Warriors lose the match, they will be tied on four points with Tigers and run rate will come into effect to decide the fourth team in playoffs. Top two teams will get extra chance to enter the final, while the next two will compete in eliminator. Pokhara Rhinos lost all four matches and were the only side to go out without opening the accounts.

On Sunday, Patriots skipper Gyanendra Malla’s decision to invite Gladiators to take the first strike paid off as only two players were able to score in double figures.  Ryan ten Doeschate top scored with 36-ball 37 hitting three fours and a six, while Ravi Inder Singh struck three boundaries and two sixes in his 15-ball 25.

Sunny Patel was the pick of the Patriots bowlers taking 5-12 from four overs, while Rashaid Khan (2-14) and Yogendra Singh Karki (2-6) shared four wickets between them. Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi also took one wicket.

In reply, Patriots too came under pressure losing first three wickets with just 24 runs on the board after opener Gaurav Tomar (nine), skipper Gyanendra Malla (four) and Kushal Bhurtel (two) were dismissed cheaply.

Jaykishan Kolsawala and Pawan Sarraf then added 42 runs for the fourth wicket before the latter was bowled by Gladiators skipper Sharad Vesawkar for 36-ball 25 that included two fours and a six. Kolsawala then shared another 30-run partnership for the unbroken fifth wicket with Sandeep Jhora to take the team home without further loss.

Kolsawala remained unbeaten on 22 off 27 balls, while Jhora struck two fours and a six in his 10-ball 18 not out.

Ryan ten Doeschate took two wickets, while skipper Vesawkar and Mohammad Naveed claimed one wicket each for Gladiators.