Panchakanya Tez staged a fine comeback to underline their title credentials with a comprehensive 34-run victory over Kantipur Gurkhas for their third consecutive win in the Wai Wai Everest Premier League on Wednesday.

In the first match at the TU Stadium, Tez were shell shocked when their star-studded top and middle order collapsed to 45-6 before the lower order fought back to post 129-8. Gurkhas kept losing wickets at regular intervals and mustered only 95-9, the lowest team total of the tournament.

Tez are now at the top of the table with six points from three matches and behind them are Vishal Warriors, who have five points from three games. Gurkhas are third with three points from four games but a spot in the top two is gradually slipping out of their hands.

Tez were reduced to 6-4 after seamer Avinash Bohora picked up three wickets in the second over. His dismissal included that of Sharad Vesawkar (1), Prithu Baskota (0) and Aarif Sheikh (0). Opener Aasif Sheikh played some blazing strokes making 18-ball 32 with four boundaries and two sixes before falling prey to Krishna Karki.

It soon became 45-6 after Lalit Rajbanshi removed Bhuwan Karki (2). However, Puspa Thapa and Dipendra Airee played sensibly with a 52-run seventh wicket stand. Airee made 22 off 34 and Thapa remained unbeaten on 38 off 43 with three fours.  Karan KC lifted the run rate with a 12-ball 17 hitting a six. Bohora finished with 4-28 for the Gurkhas.

Openers Pradeep Airee (12) and Subash Khakurel (13) gave Gurkhas a modest start adding 22 runs in 3.4 overs and once the Karan KC dismissed the former, their slide began. Sandeep Jhora top scored with a 33-ball 17 for Gurkhas, while Santosh Bhatta and Basanta Regmi crossed double digits with 13 runs each.

Man-of-the-match Airee was the star performer with the ball for Tez picking up 4-21 from four overs. KC also had 2-17 from his four. Tez next play bottom-team Sagarmatha Legends where a victory will put them in the final. Winless Legends are already out of the race for the final. Gurkhas play Colors X-Factor in an early match on Thursday.

Summary

Panchakanya Tez 129-8 in 20 overs (P Thapa 38*, A Sheikh 32; A Bohara 4-28) beat Kantipur Gurkhas 95-9 in 20 overs (S Jhora 17*, B Regmi 13; D Airee 4-21, Karan KC 2-17) by 34 runs

Man-of-the-match: D Airee