Shahab makes history as Kathmandu secure playoff berth

Kathmandu Gorkhas pulled off a stunning comeback victory against Pokhara Avengers to secure their place in the Nepal Premier League playoffs, thanks to a record-making performance from left-arm spinner Shahab Alam. 

Chasing 166, Pokhara were well placed at 130/4 after 16 overs, needing only 36 runs from 24 balls with two set batters at the crease. It looked like a straightforward finish, but Kathmandu turned the match on its head in the final overs. 

Captain Karan KC sparked the turnaround by dismissing Dhananjaya Lakshan in the 17th over, breaking his 76-run stand with Rishi Dhawan. Karan gave away only five runs in that over and followed it up with another tight 19th over, leaving Pokhara needing 20 from the last six balls. 

Despite having Rashid Khan and Adil Alam available, Karan entrusted the final over to Shahab Alam, and it proved to be a masterstroke. Shahab removed the well-set Rishi Dhawan on the first ball, brilliantly caught on the boundary by Milind Kumar, who had also taken Lakshan’s crucial catch earlier. 

Bipin Khatri was stumped on the next delivery, and Aakash Chand holed out on the third, completing Shahab’s hat-trick, the first in NPL history. Although Sagar Dhakal struck a six, he too fell on the final ball, giving Shahab four wickets in the over and six for the match. It was also the first time any bowler had taken four wickets in a single over in the tournament. 

Milind Kumar’s fielding played a major role in Kathmandu’s defense, with two brilliant catches in pressure moments that helped shift the momentum. 

Earlier, Kathmandu had recovered from a position of 79/5 in the 14th over to post 165. Ben Charlesworth anchored the innings with 64 off 55 balls while Bhim Sharki produced a blistering 23-ball 55, hitting five fours and four sixes. Bhim’s quickfire knock nearly doubled the team’s total and earned him the Player of the Match award. 

Having returned to the side after being dropped for three games, he expressed delight at contributing when the team needed him most. Charlesworth praised Bhim’s intent and also highlighted Shahab’s consistency with the ball. 

Pokhara, despite showing signs of revival in their previous match, failed to maintain their rhythm. Adam Rossington and Jason Roy, heroes of their last win, could not fire this time. Lakshan and Dhawan kept the chase alive, but Lakshan admitted afterward that losing his wicket proved decisive in shifting the momentum. 

The defeat puts Pokhara in a tough position for the playoffs, with only 4 points from 6 matches. Their fate now depends on the outcome of Friday’s match between Janakpur and Lumbini. A Lumbini win would eliminate Pokhara, Chitwan, and Janakpur. 

If Janakpur win, four teams will be tied on six points, and net run rate will decide the final playoff spot. Kathmandu, meanwhile, have surged into the playoffs with four consecutive victories, powered by strong contributions from overseas players and a standout, historic spell from young spinner Shahab Alam.