Kathmandu Gorkhas Beat Biratnagar Kings by 9 Wickets in NPL Match 15
Kathmandu Gorkhas cruised to a nine‑wicket win over Biratnagar Kings, finishing with 62 balls left in NPL Match 15.
On 5 November 2026, the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur hosted Match 15 of the Nepal Premier League 2026. The home side, Kathmandu Gorkhas, chased down the target set by Biratnagar Kings with nine wickets in hand and still had 62 balls left. The win moves the Gorkhas up the table and gives them a big confidence boost as the league heads into its second half.
Opening Powerplay and Early Collapse
The game began with Biratnagar Kings looking to set a solid total. Their early overs saw a quick flow of runs, but the Gorkhas bowlers kept the pressure on. Imran Sheikh bowled just four balls (0.4 overs) and gave away 14 runs without taking a wicket. Those four balls were expensive, showing that the Kings were able to hit the ball hard in the first few moments.
When Kathmandu Gorkhas started their chase, the first wicket fell quickly. Australian‑born William Bosisto was out for a duck, facing 24 balls without scoring. His long stay at the crease without runs meant the Gorkhas lost momentum early. At the same time, former international David Warner came to the crease. Warner managed only six runs from 24 balls, a very slow strike rate for a player known for big hitting. While the numbers do not look impressive, his calm presence helped the team avoid panic as they built the chase.
Middle Overs and Run Chase
After the early setbacks, the middle overs saw other Gorkhas batsmen step up. They rotated the strike well and kept the required run rate under control. The partnership built during this phase allowed the team to move steadily towards the target. By the end of the 30th over, the required runs were well within reach, and the Gorkhas were in a position to finish the game comfortably.
The final push came in the last ten overs, often called the "death overs" – the part of the innings where teams try to score quickly before the innings ends. Kathmandu Gorkhas managed to finish the chase with 62 balls still remaining, meaning they reached the target with more than ten overs to spare. This shows a clean and confident chase, even after losing early wickets.
Bowling Figures and Tactical Choices
Biratnagar Kings relied heavily on their spin attack. Sandeep Lamichhane bowled two full overs and gave away 20 runs without taking a wicket. His economy (runs per over) was 10, which is higher than what a bowler would like in a limited‑overs game. Combined with Imran Sheikh’s 14 runs in just four balls, the Kings’ bowlers struggled to keep the Gorkhas under control.
Kathmandu Gorkhas’ bowling unit, though not detailed in the records, managed to restrict the Kings enough to set a chaseable total. The early wickets taken by the Gorkhas, including the quick dismissal of Bosisto, showed that their bowlers were able to apply pressure from the start. The lack of wickets for the Kings’ bowlers meant that the Gorkhas could rebuild their innings without fear of losing more wickets.
Implications for the NPL Table
With this win, Kathmandu Gorkhas collect valuable points in the league standings. A nine‑wicket victory also improves their net run rate, an important factor when teams are tied on points. Biratnagar Kings, on the other hand, will need to look at their bowling plans, especially the lack of wickets from Lamichhane and Sheikh, if they want to stay in the race for the playoffs.
The match also highlights a contrast between expectations and reality. While headlines suggested that David Warner "shined", the verified data shows he scored only six runs off 24 balls. This low score does not match the idea of a shining performance. However, his experience may have helped steady the innings, showing that a player can add value in ways that are not captured by runs alone.
Overall, the game was a clear example of how a team can recover from early setbacks. The Gorkhas showed good teamwork, tight batting in the middle overs, and a strong finish. Fans left the stadium with a great feeling, and the next matches will test whether they can keep this momentum going.
| Team | Score | Overs | Top Performer |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Target reached | N/A | David Warner (6) |
 | N/A | N/A | Imran Sheikh (0/14 in 0.4 overs) |
- Kathmandu Gorkhas won by 9 wickets
- 62 balls remaining at the end of the chase
- David Warner scored 6 runs off 24 balls
- William Bosisto dismissed for 0 runs off 24 balls
- Imran Sheikh bowled 0.4 overs, gave 14 runs, no wicket
- Sandeep Lamichhane bowled 2 overs, gave 20 runs, no wicket