Watt’s Brilliant Century Powers Karnali Yaks to Impressive Win


Karnali Yaks Secure Stunning Win with Mark Watt’s Record Century

Mark Watt’s blazing century powered Karnali Yaks to a commanding victory in the second season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). Karnali handed Lumbini Lions a humiliating 9-wicket defeat, with Watt emerging as the tournament’s highest run-scorer.

Chasing a target of 157 runs, Karnali reached it in just 12.2 overs while losing only one wicket. Opener Priyank Panchal scored 12 runs before being dismissed, bringing Karnali to 38 runs. William Bussisto joined Watt at the crease.

Karnali capitalized on the first powerplay, adding 63 runs. Watt and Bussisto dominated Lumbini’s bowlers, with Watt reaching a half-century off just 29 balls, hitting 3 fours and 5 sixes.

Watt continued his assault, raining fours and sixes, and single-handedly guided Karnali to an easy victory. He scored a magnificent century off 41 balls, including 6 fours and 10 sixes. This was the second century in NPL history and also the fastest. Previously, Andres Gas of Pokhara scored 104* off 55 balls against Lumbini in the first season.

With this performance, Watt also became the highest run-scorer in NPL history. Karnali won comfortably, with only Sher Malla taking a wicket in bowling.

Earlier, at TU Cricket Ground, Karnali captain Sompal Kami won the toss and chose to bowl first. Lumbini managed 156 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Lumbini struggled early, scoring just 1 run in the first over and losing opener Sandeep Jora on the third ball of the second over, caught brilliantly by William Bussisto off Nandan Yadav. By then, Lumbini had scored only 1 run. At the end of the fourth over, they had added only 7 runs.

Failing to capitalize on the powerplay, Lumbini scored 18 runs, including 4 fours, in the sixth over, finishing the first powerplay at 36 runs.

However, Lumbini lost two wickets in the seventh and eighth overs. Darsi Sert was dismissed for 19 runs, caught by Gulshan Jha, bringing the team total to 37. The third wicket fell when Dilip Nath, scoring 6 runs, was bowled by Watt. Lumbini had 46 runs at that stage.

After that, Gulbadin Naib’s crucial wicket was taken by Bipin Prasad Sharma. Naib was dismissed LBW for just 7 runs. With this, Karnali successfully put Lumbini under pressure, reducing them to 61/4.

Captain Rohit Paudel narrowly missed a half-century, scoring 49 runs off 43 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes, before being caught by Najibullah Zadran off Sompal’s bowling. At Rohit’s dismissal, Lumbini was 113/6 in 16.4 overs.

In the final five overs, Lumbini staged a mini-comeback, adding 68 runs. JJ Smith scored 23 runs off 14 balls before being dismissed, while Ruben Trumplmann remained unbeaten on 29 runs off 14 balls, hitting 1 four and 3 sixes.

In bowling, Nandan Yadav took 2 wickets in 4 overs, while Sompal, Gulshan, Watt, Bipin, and Yuvraj each claimed 1 wicket.

This marked Lumbini’s first loss of the season, leaving them with 2 points from 2 matches. Karnali also gained 2 points from this game. The second match of the day will feature Biratnagar Kings versus Kathmandu Gorkhaz.


 

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