By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Nov 22, 2025 14:32 PM • 18 views
KATHMANDU — In a display of pure pyrotechnics at the TU Cricket Ground, Mark Watt rewrote the Nepal Premier League (NPL) record books, blasting the fastest century in the tournament's history to lead the Karnali Yaks to a crushing nine-wicket victory over the Lumbini Lions. Chasing a target of 157, the Yaks made a mockery of the run chase, crossing the finish line in just 12.2 overs. The victory marks Karnali's first points of the second NPL season, while handing Lumbini a humbling defeat to blemish their record.
The Watt Show
The chase began with a minor stumble as opener Priyank Panchal departed for 12 with the score on 38. However, his exit only set the stage for the Mark Watt show. Joined by William Bosisto, Watt turned the match into a personal highlight reel, leaving the Lumbini bowling attack completely demoralized. Karnali capitalized on the power play, racing to 63 runs, but it was Watt's acceleration that stunned the crowd. He reached his half-century off just 29 balls, studded with 3 fours and 5 sixes. But he was far from done. Unleashing a barrage of boundaries, Watt stormed to his century in just 41 balls—a new NPL record. His innings, an unbeaten masterclass featuring 6 fours and a staggering 10 sixes, eclipsed the previous record held by Andres Gous (55 balls vs. Lumbini in Season 1). Watt also secured the distinction of becoming the highest individual run-scorer in a single innings in NPL history. William Bosisto played the perfect anchor at the other end as the pair guided the Yaks home with 46 balls to spare.
Lumbini's Stuttering Start
Earlier in the day, Karnali skipper Sompal Kami won the toss and invited Lumbini to take first strike—a decision that paid immediate dividends. Lumbini's innings got off to a nightmare start. They managed just a single run in the opening over and lost opener Sandeep Jora (1) in the second, caught spectacularly by Bosisto off the bowling of Nandan Yadav. By the end of the fourth over, the Lions were languishing at 7/1. Despite a brief flurry in the sixth over where they plundered 18 runs to reach 36/1 by the end of the powerplay, Lumbini struggled to build partnerships. D'Arcy Short (19) fell to Gulshan Jha, and Dilip Nath (6) was caught and bowled by Watt, leaving the side teetering at 46/3. When Gulbadin Naib was trapped LBW by Bipin Prasad Sharma for 7, Lumbini found themselves in deep trouble at 61/4.
Paudel and Trumpelmann Lead Recovery
Captain Rohit Paudel offered the only substantial resistance in the middle overs. He played a gritty knock, falling agonizingly short of a half-century. Paudel was dismissed for 49 (43 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) by Sompal Kami, caught by Najibullah Zadran. Teetering at 113/6 in the 17th over, Lumbini found late momentum thanks to Ruben Trumpelmann and JJ Smit. Smit chipped in with a rapid 23 off 14 balls, while Trumpelmann provided a late surge, smashing an unbeaten 29 off 14 balls (1 four, 3 sixes). Their efforts helped Lumbini post a respectable, albeit insufficient, total of 156/7. For Karnali, Nandan Yadav was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2 wickets, while Sompal, Gulshan, Watt, Bipin, and Yuvraj claimed a scalp apiece.
The Aftermath
The result reshuffles the early tournament narrative. Lumbini Lions, suffering their first loss, remain on 2 points from two games. Karnali Yaks have now opened their account, joining them on 2 points.
