Defending champions Region No 3 Kathmandu kept up the hope of qualifying to the final of the Pepsi Men’s Twenty20 National League defeating Region No 5 Nepalgunj by 7 wickets at the IOE Ground.
Gyanendra Malla scored unbeaten 65 as Kathmandu chased Nepalgunj’s 103/7 with 19 balls remaining losing only three wickets.
With the win, Kathmandu now has two wins from four matches behind Region No 3 Bhairahawa (3 wins from 3 matches), Region No 2 Birgunj (3 wins from 4 matches) and Region No 4 Bhairahawa (2 wins from 3 matches).
On June 5, Bhairahawa plays Birgunj and winner will be ensured a position in the final. Kathmandu has to hope that Bhairahawa wins both remaining matches, the other being against Biratnagar on June 6, and they defeat Baitadi on Sunday with a good net run-rate.
At IOE, Gyanendra played a memorable innings scoring 65 off just 52 balls. His knock included five fours and three sixes. He partnered Subash Khakurel (21 off 38) for 90-run third wicket partnership after Kathmandu lost openers early to go down 7/2.
Sandeep Shrestha took 2/14 while Navin Shahi took a wicket.
Earlier, Subendu Pandey (36 off 30) and Mahesh Chhetri (31 off 54) took Nepalgunj to a fighting total. Other two-digit contributions came from Sitanshu Pandey (12) and Sandeep (10).
Rikesh Lama was the pick of the bowlers taking 2/13.