William Bosisto took a match-winning six-wicket haul as Karnali Yaks defeated Pokhara Avengers by seven wickets in the Nepal Premier League T20 cricket tournament at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Tuesday, strengthening their hopes of progressing into the playoffs.

Bosisto returned a magical spell of 6-28 that dismantled the batting of Pokhara, who collapsed dramatically to lose their final eight wickets for just 29 runs and folded for a meagre 103 in 16.3 overs.

Pokhara, opting to bat first, started their innings brightly with openers Dinesh Kharel and Andries Gous adding 46 runs off 23 balls for the opening wicket.

Gous, who had scored the tournament’s only century to secure Pokhara’s first win on Friday, looked threatening again with a quickfire 25 off 12 balls before Bipin Sharma removed the dangerman to break the partnership in the fourth over.

Dinesh Kharel, who had supported Gous in Friday’s 10-wicket victory over Lumbini Lions with an unbeaten half-century, also looked to be in good shape but fell to Unish Thakuri in the sixth over.

Once the opening pair departed, Pokhara’s innings unraveled under pressure from Bosisto’s spin.

The Australian began the onslaught in the 10th over by dismissing Kushal Bhurtel.

Although Pokhara were still well-placed at 74-3, Bosisto unleashed a devastating spell claiming four wickets in quick succession, including Matt Critchley (0) in the 11.5 overs, Dilip Nath (3), Michael Leask (2) and Narayan Joshi (1) in the 14th over.

Bosisto then completed his six-wicket haul by dispatching Raymod Reifer in the 15th over, leaving Pokhara in tatters.

Karnali were playing without Shikhar Dhawan, who returned to India after completing his four-match contract, and faced early jitters as they lost openers Dev Khanal (0) and Babar Hayat (7) cheaply.

But Chadwick Walton and Gulsan Jha played a crucial sixty-run partnership to steady the innings.

Walton fell to Bhurtel in the 11.6 overs after contributing 42 off 34 but Jha carried on with an unbeaten 49 off 37 balls guiding Karnali to 106-3 in 15 overs.

A third consecutive victory marks a remarkable revival for Karnali, who lost their opening two games. The outcome takes Karnali to six points from five matches, placing them level with Sudurpaschim Royals and Chitwan Rhinos in the standings. Janakpur Bolts, the only unbeaten team in the eight-team tournament, remain at the top with eight points.

Paudel inspires Lumbini

Rohit Paudel delivered a stellar all-round display to guide Lumbini Lions to their first victory of the tournament, registering a 33-run win over Chitwan, who missed their chance to go level with leaders Janakpur.

Paudel smashed 88 off 57 balls and Saad Bin Zafar played an aggressive 35-ball 52 to help Lumbini, who were sent to bat first, post 167-8 despite suffering early setbacks.

Paudel then capped off his all-round performance with a match-deciding figures of 4-17 to restrict Chitwan to 134-8.

Lumbini started their innings on a shaky ground as Rijan Dhakal (3-29) struck early to remove Ashutosh Ghairaiya (1) and Unmukt Chand (0) in quick succession.

Lumbini appeared to be in deep trouble at 49-5 after Ranjit Kumar dispatched Arjun Saud (15 off 12) and Kushal Malla sent back Tom Moores (10 off 5).

But Paudel and Bin Zafar resurrected the innings with a crucial 114-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Paudel’s knock featured six boundaries and five sixes, while Bin Zafar hit four fours and a six.

The partnership ended in the penultimate over when Dhakal dismissed Paudel and Bin Zafar was run out in the final delivery but a competitive total had been set.

Chitwan’s chase faltered early as Paudel removed Bipin Rawal (4) and Sohail Tanvir (1) to leave Chitwan reeling at 16-3. In between, Simmonds (2-22) dispatched Rawal’s opening partner Santosh Karki (10).

Luc Benkenstein scored 31 off 29 balls to briefly steady the innings pushing Chitwan to 58-3 but his dismissal to Paudel in the 10.2 over started another collapse.

Paudel then claimed the key wickets of Ravi Bopara (12) and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (6), while Simonds took out Amar Routela (6) and Bin Zafar dispatched Kushal Malla (20) to reduce Chitwan to 95-8.

Rijan Dhakal (15 not out off 14) and Nar Sarkh (22 not out off 12) added a spirited unbeaten 39-run stand for the ninth wicket to lead the late revival but could not overhaul Lumbini’s total.