Kathmandu Gorkhas secured a 22-run win over Lumbini Lions in Match 11 of the Nepal Premier League 2025, driven by a late surge from Karan KC at the TU Cricket Ground on Tuesday. After posting 157 for 8, thanks to Karan's explosive 34 off 11 balls, Kathmandu bowled out Lumbini for 135 in 19.1 overs.

Dilip Nath and Sher Malla tried to revive the chase, but regular wickets kept the Lions behind the rate. Kathmandu's tight death bowling finished the job and sealed their second win of the season.

Kathmandu Gorkhas tightened their grip on the Nepal Premier League 2025 with a controlled all-round performance that earned them a 22-run win against Lumbini Lions at the TU Cricket Ground on Tuesday. A late burst from Karan KC and steady bowling in the closing overs proved decisive as Kathmandu registered their second win of the season.

Sent in to bat, Kathmandu posted 157 for 8 after recovering from a steady but slow start. The early overs were built around Aakash Tripathi, who steadied the innings with a patient 32 off 36. He found brief support from Milind Kumar (17 off 20), Rashid Khan (14 off 10), and Santosh Yadav, whose lively 26 off 16 helped lift the tempo through the middle phase.

The turning point arrived in the final overs when Karan KC walked in and changed the course of the innings. He struck four towering sixes on his way to an unbeaten 34 from only 11 balls, lifting the run rate and giving Kathmandu a competitive total to bowl at. His strike rate of over 300 gave the innings a much-needed spark and shifted momentum firmly in Kathmandu's favor.

Lumbini's bowlers had their moments, especially Gulbadin Naib (2 for 20) and Sher Malla (2 for 33), while Ruben Trumpelmann chipped in with two wickets despite an expensive outing.

Lumbini Lions began the chase with intent. Sundeep Jora opened aggressively, and D'Arcy Short's 22 off 11 hinted at a promising chase. But the Lions struggled to build partnerships, losing wickets regularly and allowing Kathmandu to control the pace of the match.

Captain Rohit Paudel managed 11, while Gulbadin Naib added a quick 11 off 6, but neither could settle in. The resistance came mainly from Dilip Nath, who held the innings together with a measured 25 off 33, and Sher Malla, who kept his side alive with 27 off 18.

Kathmandu's bowlers stayed composed in the key moments. As the required rate climbed, pressure mounted on Lumbini's lower order. The innings unraveled quickly, with the Lions losing their last four wickets for only 31 runs, collapsing from 104 for 6 to 135 all out in 19.1 overs.

Karan KC, who had already shifted the momentum with the bat, contributed again with the ball and was named Player of the Match for his all-round effort.

The result keeps Kathmandu Gorkhas firmly in the race as the NPL 2025 season gains momentum, while Lumbini Lions will look to regroup after another missed opportunity.

For full coverage of the tournament, schedules, and team details, visit our NPL 2025 Schedule and Fixtures.