Cricket

Kathmandu Knights entered the playoffs after Pokhara Avengers lost to Far West United by 41 runs in a Nepal T20 League match on Saturday. 

Chasing a target of 188 runs for victory, Pokhara were bowled out for 146 runs in 18.1 overs. 
The result means the Avengers fail to add to six points, giving Kathmandu the fourth place on eight points and a passage to the playoffs. 

The final outing of the round-robin league completed the playoff schedule. The table toppers Lumbini take on second-placed Janakpur for a place in the final. 

The losing team will meet the winners of Monday’s eliminator match between Biratnagar and Kathmandu. The second qualifier will be held on Tuesday and the final on Wednesday.

Pratish GC played an explosive knock for Pokhara, making 34 runs off 11 balls. He hit five sixes, three of which came from consecutive deliveries of Hashmatullah Shahidi in the 14th over. The other two were scored in the previous over of Sher Malla.

Pratish Karan was caught out by Bhim Saraki in the third ball of KC's 16th over. Pokhara lost consecutive wickets. 

Pokhara opener Upul Tharanga scored 36 runs off 23 balls with five fours and a six. Siddhant Lohani was dismissed for 28 runs off 25 balls.

Far West United's Durgesh Gupta took three wickets for 29 runs in four overs. Shahidi and Prakash Jaishi picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, Far West made 187-5 in their 20 over after winning the toss and electing to bat first. Shahidi and Bindo Bhandari gave a flying start to the team with a century partnership. 

The two put on 134 runs from 15 overs, their second in the competition. They had scored 157 against Kathmandu Knights.

Shahidi top scored with 67 runs from 51 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes. Bhandari hit 59 runs off 47 balls with six fours and two sixes.

The rest of the United batters returned without bothering the scorers much. Abhimanyu Mithun of Pokhara picked up two wickets giving away 32 runs from his four overs.