Two-time defending champions Dhangadhi Stars stared elimination after crashing to their third consecutive defeat losing to Karan KC-led Biratnagar Kings by 21 runs on Wednesday.

In a low scoring match at the Fapla Cricket Ground, three wickets each from skipper Sompal Kami and Bipin Khatri helped Stars restrict Kings to 102-9 in 20 overs. But Karan KC and Avinash Yadav, who earlier had offered a brief resistance in Kings’ batting collapse, picked up four wickets apiece to bundle out Stars for 82 runs in 19 overs.

Winless Stars now stare down elimination from the group stage staying at the bottom of the six-team table. They will not only need to win their both remaining league games but also hope other result go their way.

Kings, meanwhile, registered their first victory in two matches. Rupandehi Challengers lead the table on net run rate after they were tied on four points with Kathmandu Goldens.

Stars skipper Sompal Kami was left dejected after consecutive losses. “We are not getting into rhythm at all. We need a win so that we can expect to carry that momentum but we are not managing to get that start. We are getting good start with the ball but have not been able to finish it off. The batsmen are not giving good start in the powerplays and the wicket is also not good for the newcomers at the crease,” said Kami.

In defense of a low total, seamer Karan gave a bright start to Kings dismissing openers Sunil Dhamala (one) and Rohan Mustafa (six) with just nine runs on the board. Sushan Bhari removed Amit Shrestha (seven) reducing Stars to 26-3 in 6.3 overs. Sandeep Rajali and Raju Rijal (15) resisted for a while but Bhari ended their 31-run stand getting rid of the latter.

With Rijal’s departure, Stars went on to lose their next seven wickets for just 25 runs as Avinash Yadav polished off the tail picking up four wickets. KC’s other two wickets included key scalps of Rajali and Pawan Sarraf. Rajali topscored in the match with a 36-ball 34 that included four boundaries. Yadav bowled economically in his 4-10 from four overs.

Earlier, three wickets from Kami and two from Bipin Khatri reduced Kings to 42-5 in 11.1 overs. Yadav and KC led a brief fight adding 32 runs for the sixth wicket that ultimate    ly worked for a winning cause. Yadav made 27 off 29 with two fours and fell prey to Khatri.

KC struck two sixes and a four in his 22-ball 21. Robeen Chhetri also took two wickets for Stars. Opener Aasif Sheikh (12) and Samsad Sheikh (11) were other Kings batsmen to score runs in double figures.

Summary

Kathmandu Goldens 134-5 in 20 overs (A Dabas 65*, Y Karki 22*; A Routela 2-26, M Naveed 1-24) beat Mahendranagar United 127-8 in 20 overs (A Routela 28*, S Vesawkar 23; R Khan 3-17, A Dabas 2-28) by seven runs

Man-of-the-match: A Dabas

..............

Biratnagar Kings 103-9 in 20 overs (A Yadav 27, Karan KC 21; S Kami 3-8, B Khatri 3-19, R chhetri 2-3) beat Dhangadhi Stars 82 all out in 19 overs (S Rajali 34, R Rijal 15; A Yadav 4-10, Karan KC 4-24, S Bhari 2-20) by 21 runs

Man-of-the-match: Karan KC