NPL 2025: Basir Ahamad's Rescue Act Steers Biratnagar Kings to Thrilling Last-Over win Against Karnali Yaks
By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Nov 28, 2025 14:09 PM • 16 views
KIRTIPUR — In a contest that swung wildly between dominance and despair, the Biratnagar Kings pulled off a heist for the ages at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground on Friday. Recovering from a catastrophic top-order collapse of 65 for 5, the Kings chased down Karnali Yaks' competitive total of 160 to seal a three-wicket victory with just one ball to spare in the 16th match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2025. The architect of this remarkable turnaround was all-rounder Basir Ahamad, whose unbeaten half-century anchored a chase that seemed doomed before the halfway mark. His composure under pressure, coupled with a calm cameo from captain Sandeep Lamichhane in the dying moments, denied the Yaks a win they had firmly in their grasp for most of the evening.
The Collapse and the Resurrection
Chasing 161 for victory, Biratnagar's pursuit began in nightmare fashion. The Karnali Yaks' new-ball attack shredded the Kings' top order, exploiting the conditions under lights. Overseas star George Munsey (6) fell early, and when explosive opener Lokesh Bam departed shortly after, the Kings were reeling. The slide continued as Sam Heazlett and Sahil Patel succumbed to the pressure, leaving the scoreboard reading a dismal 65 for 5 in the 12th over. At that stage, the Yaks, led by Sompal Kami, seemed destined for a comfortable regulation win. However, Basir Ahamad had other plans. Walking into a crisis, the left-hander constructed an innings of supreme maturity. Eschewing high-risk strokes initially to rebuild, he gradually shifted gears, finding boundaries just when the required rate threatened to spiral out of control. Ahamad found able support from the lower middle order, including a gritty stand with Narayan Joshi and Pratis GC, which dragged the Kings back into the contest. But it was the 19th and 20th overs where the game was truly won and lost. With 10 runs needed off the final over, and the tension palpable in Kirtipur, the Kings held their nerve. Ahamad, fittingly, remained the rock, finishing with a match-winning 56* (approx), while Lamichhane (6*) provided the finishing touch to overhaul the target at 163/7 in 19.5 overs.
Karnali's Missed Opportunity
Earlier in the day, the Karnali Yaks, having elected to bat first, posted a respectable 160/3. Their innings was built on the foundation laid by opener Priyank Panchal. The Indian recruit was the mainstay of the Yaks' batting, compiling a fluent 63 off 47 balls, studded with six boundaries and two sixes.
Panchal's 100-plus run partnership with William Bosisto (48* off 48) was the backbone of the innings. The duo absorbed the early loss of Mark Watt (6) and set a platform for a late flourish. Gulsan Jha injected momentum at the death with a rapid 20 off 10 balls, lifting the Yaks to a total that looked par, if not slightly above, on a wearing surface.
For Biratnagar, the bowling effort was a mixed bag. Marchant de Lange was expensive but wicket-taking, while skipper Sandeep Lamichhane was his usual frugal self, conceding just 24 runs in his four overs and keeping the Yaks' middle order in check.
The Analysis: Where the Game Turned
The match ultimately pivoted on Karnali's inability to deliver the knockout punch. Having reduced Biratnagar to 65/5, the Yaks allowed partnerships to bloom, losing their defensive shape in the death overs. The extras and defensive lapses during the crucial Ahmad-Joshi stand proved costly. For Biratnagar Kings, this victory is a significant morale booster. To win from a position of near-certain defeat showcases the depth of their squad and the character of their domestic core. Basir Ahamad's knock will likely go down as one of the finest in the tournament's history, not just for the runs scored, but for the situational awareness he displayed.
Conclusion
The win propels Biratnagar Kings firmly into the upper echelon of the NPL points table, solidifying their playoff credentials. For the Karnali Yaks, it is a bitter pill to swallow; a game dominated for 30 overs slipped away in the final 10. As the tournament progresses, the Kings will look to this escape as a defining moment of their campaign, proving that in the NPL, no game is over until the final ball is bowled.
