An all-round performance from Yogendra Karki ensured Lalitpur Patriots to be the first team to reach the final of EPL 2018. Along with some crucial wickets, he played great knock at the critical stage of the match to defeat Kathmandu Kings XI by just 1 wicket in the last ball of the match. It means Kathmandu missed it's first chance to reach into the finals but would have another chance when they face the winner of the second qualifier.

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Winning the toss, Lalitpur Patriots elected to field first. Lalitpur had a good start picking A Shrestha wickets in the fourth over. But Kathmandu Kings fought back to score 58 runs in the 7th over before they lost Rohan Mustafa for 32 runs His partner Sagar Pun made 28 runs. After this wicket, Kevin O'Brien came to the bat, but he just lasted 6 balls scoring 1 run. Then, it was all Lalitpur, picking wickets in regular intervals. They got Kathmandu all out for 108 runs in 19.5 overs. For Lalitpur, Pawan Sarraf and Yogendra Karki picked up three wickets each. Sunny Patel and Lalit Rajbangsi contributed picking two and one wickets respectively.

Chasing the moderate target of just 109 runs, Lalitpur lost their big wicket of Gaurab Tomar, their best batsman in the first over for 1 run. At the end of 3.1 overs, Lalitpur was at 20/2 as another opener Koslaawala got out at 7 runs but Pawan Sarraf and Gyanendra Malla made a partnership of 26 runs for the third wicket. Gyanendra Malla got out at 21 runs. In the 11th over, Pradip Sahu added a drama picking 3 wickets of the 4 balls. His wickets included Pawan Sarraf for 19 runs and golden duck for Sandip Jora and Sunny Patel.

Lalitpur now was struggling at 6-54, still needing another 55 runs for the victory. Kushal Bhurtel and Yogendra Karki at the pitch and they stood firm for the partnership of 37 runs to take Lalitpur to 7-91 as Kushal Bhurtel returned to the pavilion scoring 29 runs. They still needed 18 runs to win. Sonu Tamang and Surya Tamang came to bat but couldn’t support Yogendra Karki, and they went out with Lalitpur still struggling at 101-9 in 19.1 over. With 8 runs required off 5 balls and a wicket remaining, Yogendra Karki took Lalitpur all the way to victory in a style. He scored 2 runs each in the last four balls.

For his all-round performance, Karki was awarded the Man of the Match award. Kathmandu Kings will now face Bahirahawa Gladiators to book the place in the final against Lalitpur Patriots. Bahirahawa Gladiators defeated Chitwan Tigers today in the second qualifier.

Here is the highlight of the match: