Janakpur Bolts became the first team to progress into the playoff stage of the Nepal Premier League T20 cricket tournament after they defeated Kathmandu Gurkhas by five wickets at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Thursday.

The win propelled Janakpur to the top of the eight-team table with 10 points from six matches, guaranteeing them a place in the top four.

The top four teams at the end of the single round-robin league progress into the playoffs, where the league winners and runners-up clash in the Qualifier 1 for a direct final berth. The third and fourth placed teams battle in the Eliminator. The losing side of the Qualifier 1 vie against the winners of Eliminator in the Qualifier 2 for the second spot in the title match.

Anil Sah’s team will conclude their league campaign against Chitwan Rhinos on Sunday with an eye on the top-two spot.

Janakpur succumbed to a humiliating 72-run loss against Sudurpaschim Royals—their first loss of the season—on Wednesday but they had no time to lick their wounds with a playoff spot on the horizon.

And their bowlers displayed a commanding performance—ripping through the Kathmandu batting line up, restricting them to a meager 101 after their opponents had elected to bat first.

Kishore Mahato began the onslaught removing Kathmandu opener Michael Levitt for 8, before Mohammad Mohsin dismissed Bhim Sharki (4) to leave Kathmandu at 35-2 after the powerplay.

Lalit Rajbanshi then delivered a game-changing over, dispatching Stephen Eskinazi (17 off 19) and Sumit Maharjan (0) in the 7th over without conceding a run.

Gerhard Erasmus offered brief resistance with a 20-run knock off 22 balls, but wickets continued to tumble at the other end, with Rashid Khan (7), Dan Douthwaite (1), Pratik Shrestha (6) all failing to make significant contributions.

Mohsin ended Erasmus’s stay in the 15.3 over reducing Kathmandu to 74-8.

A late flourish from Karan KC, who scored 19 off 13 balls, pushed Kathmandu’s total to 101.

Rajbanshi returned an exceptional spell, claiming 3-8 in four overs, including two maiden overs. Sher Malla also impressed with the figures of 3-11, while Mohsin claimed two wickets. Mahato and Arniko Yadav chipped in with a wicket apiece.

In reply, Janakpur got off to a shaky start losing openers Lahiru Milantha (16 off 20) and Aasif Sheikh (2) early, both to KC.

Skipper Anil Sah (11 off 10) and Shubh Kansakar (5) also departed cheaply, leaving Janakpur in trouble at 44-4.

James Neesham stabilised the innings with a brisk 37 off 17 before falling lbw to Erasmus.

Harsh Thaker then kept his calm with a patient 25 not out off 25 and Mohsin added 13 not out off 7 to take Janakpur to 104-5 with 25 balls to spare.

Reifer inspires Pokhara to thrilling Super Over win

Raymon Reifer delivered an all-round performance to keep Pokhara Avengers’s playoff hopes alive with a dramatic Super Over victory against Biratnagar Kings.

Chasing a target of 140, Reifer delivered an exceptional final over to turn the tide with a composed yet explosive display.

Still needing 14 runs off the last over, the West Indies allrounder smashed a six off Basir Ahamad’s second ball to narrow the gap.

All hopes seemed lost when Ahamad bowled two consecutive dots to leave Pokhara still needing seven runs off the final ball.

But Reifer blasted a six to tie the score and force a Super Over.

In the Super Over, Reifer was unstoppable, hammering two sixes and a four off Biratnagar captain Sandeep Lamichhane to set a daunting target of 19 runs.

Reifer then returned with the ball and restricted Biratnagar batters Martin Guptill and Nicholas Kirton to just five runs, shutting down Biratnagar’s chase.

Andries Gous, the only centurion of the tournament so far, played 39 runs off 27 balls to anchor Pokhara’s innings, while Kushal Bhurtel added a steady 31 off 34.

Reifer scored an unbeaten 34 off 23 deliveries, which proved decisive.

Earlier, Biratnagar posted 139-7 from their 20 overs after opting to bat first.

Lokesh Bam gave Biratnagar a flying start hitting two boundaries and a six off Bipin Khatri in the first over.

But Pokhara’s bowlers struck back as Sagar Dhakal (2-15) claimed the vital wicket of Guptill for five in the fourth over, while Reifer removed Bam (26 off 16) with a caught-and-bowled effort.

Biratnagar’s middle order struggled to build momentum as Naren Bhatta (4) also departed quickly, leaving Biratnagar at 37-3.

Scott Edwards played 45 off 35 to provide some stability and was supported by Nicholas Kriton (19 off 16) and Ahamad (21 not out off 20).

The victory gave Pokhara their second win and four points from five matches, keeping them in contention for a playoff berth with two games remaining against Kathmandu and Sudurpaschim.

For Biratnagar, the defeat was a severe blow to their playoff hopes as they sit at the bottom with just two points. They have two matches in hand.

Lumbini have already been eliminated from the competition without playing their final league match.