Captain change fails to revive Karnali Yaks

Changing captains did little to improve Karnali Yaks’ fortunes in the third season of the Nepal Premier League. With South African star batter David Miller replacing Sompal Kami as captain, Karnali managed only 105 runs against Lumbini Lions at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Thursday. Karnali had made a strong start to the tournament, winning their first two matches. But three successive defeats had put their playoff prospects under pressure, prompting the team to hand the captaincy to Miller for the match against Lumbini.

Karnali won the toss and elected to bat, but lasted only 19.2 overs. Another defeat would leave their chances of reaching the playoffs hanging by a thread. Lumbini, too, needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Karnali made changes to their opening combination as well as the captaincy.

Dipendra Rawat, playing his first match of the tournament, lasted just four balls before Abhishesh Gautam bowled him. The other opener, Ariful Islam, and Deepak Dumre were dismissed for four runs each.