Lokesh Bam's 87 Not Enough as Sompal Kami Leads Karnali Yaks Past Biratnagar Kings in NPL 2026

Karnali Yaks beat Biratnagar Kings by four wickets with one ball to spare in Match 6 of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026 on Thursday, Oct 29, at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Lokesh Bam smashed 87 off 52 balls with nine sixes to lift Biratnagar to 186 for 7, the highest total of the season so far. But Karnali captain Sompal Kami took 4 for 33, caught Bam off his own bowling, then hit 62 not out off 32 to chase down 187 and win Player of the Match.

Lokesh Bam's nine sixes

Put in to bat after Karnali won the toss, Biratnagar lost Imran Sheikh for five in the third over and Charith Asalanka for three, slipping to 39 for 2 in the powerplay. Bam kept attacking. His 87 included nine sixes and three fours, so 66 of his runs came in boundaries, at a strike rate of 167.30.

Bam and Angelo Mathews added 71 for the fourth wicket, taking the Kings from 73 for 3 to 144 for 4. In the 16th over, Kami held a return catch to send Bam back 13 short of a century. Mathews (31 off 23) and Andre Russell (27 off 15) pushed the total to 186 for 7.

Kami finished with 4 for 33 from his four overs. Mark Watt took 1 for 23 and Nandan Yadav 1 for 43.

Sompal Kami's 62 not out wins the chase

Karnali were in trouble at 123 for 6 after 14 overs when Pawan Sarraf fell. Kami came in at No. 7 and joined Gulshan Kumar Jha, and the pair took the Yaks to 165 for 6 after 18 overs, needing 22 off the last 12 balls.

Kami's 62 not out off 32 (three sixes, four fours) and Jha's 28 off 21 finished it at 187 for 6 in 19.5 overs. Ariful Islam (32 off 12) and Deepak Dumre (20 off 11) also chipped in. The Kathmandu Post noted several Biratnagar fielding errors, including dropped catches.

For Biratnagar, Mathews took three wickets, and Asalanka, Pratish GC and captain Sandeep Lamichhane one each.

What's next for Biratnagar Kings

That is two defeats from two for Biratnagar, who also lost their opener to Chitwan Rhinos. There are no matches on Friday. The NPL resumes on Saturday with a double header: Chitwan Rhinos vs Lumbini Lions and Biratnagar Kings vs Sudurpaschim Royals.

US start times for every game are in our NPL 2026 schedule and teams cheat sheet. For match-day updates and Reels, follow @jurelimedia on Instagram.

FAQ

Who won Karnali Yaks vs Biratnagar Kings in NPL 2026? Karnali Yaks won by four wickets with one ball to spare, at Kirtipur on Oct 29, 2026.

How many did Lokesh Bam score? 87 off 52 balls, with nine sixes and three fours.

What was the score? Biratnagar Kings 186/7 (20 overs); Karnali Yaks 187/6 (19.5 overs).

Who was Player of the Match? Sompal Kami, with 4 for 33 and 62 not out off 32.

When do Biratnagar Kings play next? Saturday, against Sudurpaschim Royals.

Sources

• ESPNcricinfo scorecard: Biratnagar Kings vs Karnali Yaks, NPL 2026 Match 6
• The Kathmandu Post: Sompal's unbeaten 62 steers Karnali to last-over win over Biratnagar (Nayak Paudel, Oct 29, 2026)
• cricnepal: Lokesh Bam's nine sixes power Biratnagar Kings to 186/7 (Oct 29, 2026)

Image credits

• Hero (file photo, not from this match): TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, by Godknowme1, CC BY-SA 4.0.