Karan blasts, spinners dominate as Kathmandu bounce back

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Nov 25, 2025

Kathmandu Gorkhas finally returned to winning ways, securing their second victory of the tournament after two consecutive defeats.

The team, which had stunned defending champions Janakpur Bolts in their opening match, rediscovered its rhythm in the fourth game with a composed all-round performance.

Skipper Karan KC delivered a decisive finish with the bat to lift Kathmandu to a competitive total, before the spin attack took control and successfully defended the score.

With this win, Kathmandu now sit third on the table with 4 points from 4 matches, while Lumbini suffered their second loss in three games and remain on 2 points.

Karan KC, who played the finisher’s role to perfection and also took a wicket with the ball, was named Player of the Match.

Known for his power-hitting, Karan once again proved why he is one of Nepal’s best lower-order finishers. Kathmandu were struggling at 120/7 after 18 overs when Karan turned the game around.

The 19th over, bowled by Ruben Trumpelmann; who had conceded only 13 runs in his first three overs completely shifted the momentum.

Karan smashed him for four sixes and a boundary, collecting 31 runs in the over. Kathmandu crossed the 150-run mark during this assault, gaining the momentum they desperately needed.

Karan remained unbeaten on 34 off just 11 deliveries. Kathmandu added six more runs in the final over to finish on 157, a total that has recently proven defendable at TU Cricket Ground.

With conditions favouring the bowlers at TU in recent matches and modest totals being successfully defended, Kathmandu’s bowlers entered the second innings full of confidence.

Despite Karan conceding 18 runs in the opening over, he quickly turned to his spinners, and they delivered immediately.

Milind Kumar removed Sundeep Jora and later dismissed D'Arcy Short. Shahab Alam sent Afghan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib back, while Gerard Erasmus dismissed Lumbini captain Rohit Paudel, leaving the chasing side at 68/4 after 10 overs.

Lumbini never recovered. Wickets continued to tumble as Santosh Yadav dismissed JJ Smit, Sumit Maharjan was run out, and Trumpelmann fell to Erasmus.

A brief late surge from Sher Malla who struck three sixes in succession, offered a glimmer of hope, but his run-out ended Lumbini’s chances.

In total, Kathmandu’s spinners claimed six of the ten wickets. Lumbini undone by poor shot selection While Kathmandu bowled with discipline, Lumbini’s batters contributed to their own collapse through questionable shot choices.