Lokesh Bam 87 Powers Biratnagar to 186/7 in NPL Match 6

Biratnagar Kings posted 186 for 7 against Karnali Yaks in NPL Season 3 Match 6 at TU Ground, Kirtipur, on Thursday, built on Lokesh Bam 87 off 52 balls after Karnali won the toss and chose to field first.

Lokesh Bam 87 sets up Biratnagar total

Biratnagar Kings posted 186 for 7 against Karnali Yaks in NPL Season 3 Match 6 at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Thursday, built on Lokesh Bam 87 off 52 balls after Karnali won the toss and chose to field first. The wicketkeeper-batter struck three fours and nine sixes, and Karnali now need 187 to win the evening match.

The total came at 9.30 runs an over, with nine extras in the innings. Biratnagar lost seven wickets across the 20 overs, and two batters were unbeaten on nought at the end, after Basir Ahamad was dismissed off the final ball. It is the highest total of the season so far for Biratnagar, who were bowled out for 149 in their opening match against Chitwan Rhinos, and it sets up a chase that will decide whether Karnali make it two wins from two or Biratnagar open their account.

Sompal Kami four wickets keep Karnali in the chase

The innings belonged to Bam for most of its length, but the bowling figures belonged to Karnali captain Sompal Kami, who took 4 for 33 in his four overs. Kami dismissed Charith Asalanka, then returned to remove Bam himself, caught and bowled, at 144 in the 16th over, before bowling Angelo Mathews and having Andre Russell caught by Unish Thakuri. Four wickets for 33 runs in a match where the batting side scored at more than nine an over was the spell that kept the total within reach.

The rest of the Karnali attack had a mixed evening. Mark Watt was the most economical bowler on either side, taking 1 for 23 in four overs including a maiden, and dismissing opener Imran Sheikh. Nandan Yadav took 1 for 43, Yuvraj Khatri went wicketless for 18 in two overs, Unish Thakuri conceded 26 in three wicketless overs, and Hussain Talat was the most expensive, conceding 39 in three overs without a wicket. Kami's strikes, though, meant Biratnagar kept losing set batters just as they threatened to take the total past 200.

How Biratnagar innings unfolded

Biratnagar had made a shaky start after being sent in. Imran Sheikh fell for 5, caught by Deepak Dumre off Mark Watt, at 18 in the third over, and Charith Asalanka followed for 3, caught by Gulsan Jha off Kami, at 39 in the sixth. Shehan Jayasuriya made 11 before being run out at 73 in the ninth over, and at that point the innings needed rebuilding.

Bam did the rebuilding, reaching his fifty off 33 balls, and with Mathews he added 71 runs for the fourth wicket, taking the score from 73 to 144. Bam fell at 144 in the 16th over, Mathews made 31 off 23 balls before being bowled by Kami at 162, and Russell smashed 27 off 15 balls, with three fours and two sixes, before falling at 174 in the 19th over. Basir Ahamad added 13 off seven balls before being bowled by Nandan Yadav off the last ball, as Biratnagar took 42 runs from the final 25 balls for the loss of three wickets.

What 187 means for the points race

The target of 187 frames a sharp early-season contrast. Biratnagar arrived at this match on zero points after losing their opener to Chitwan by eight runs, chasing 157 and falling for 149, while Karnali arrived on two points after beating Janakpur by 19 runs, defending 132 in their opener. A Biratnagar win opens their account and pulls them level with Karnali; a Karnali win makes it two wins from two and keeps them among the early pace-setters on the points table.

There is also a warning for the chasing side in their own first match of the season. Karnali have already defended a smaller total than this one, holding Janakpur to 113 in a chase of 133, so 187 is no formality even on a ground where runs have flowed. The chase began after the innings break at Kirtipur, today's second match on the schedule, and the result of this match will be covered in full once the second innings is complete.