Biratnagar Warriors became the first team to reach 2017 TVS EPL playoffs on Friday with a 35-run victory over Bhairahawa Gladiators in their penultimate match of the group phase.
Biratnagar’s total of 149/6 in 20 overs was built around the knocks played by Anshuman Rath (57 off 50) and Babar Hayat (36 off 35). Pranit Thapa Magar (14 off 7) and Karan KC (11 n.o off 5) played important cameos at the end of the innings. Harishankar Shah (3/35) and Aarif Shiekh (2/12) were the pick of the bowlers for Bhairahawa.
Gladiators batsmen could not play longer innings and wickets kept falling at both ends regularly as they got bowled out for 114 in 18.3 overs. Pradeep Singh Airee (18 off 18) and Harishankar Shah (18 off 21) tried to stay for longer periods but eventually got out.
Avinash Karn (4/25) and Basant Regmi (3/22) picked the maximum wickets for Biratnagar while Sahan Appuhami, Karan KC and Paras Khadka picked up a wicket apiece.
2017 Everest Premier League Points Table:
| Everest Premier League | |||||
| TEAM | Mat | Win | Loss | Points | NRR |
| Biratnagar Warriors | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 1.444 |
| Pokhara Rhinos | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0.474 |
| Bhairahawa Gladiators | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -0.054 |
| Lalitpur Patriots | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0.083 |
| Kathmandu Kings-XI | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -0.731 |
| Chitwan Tigers | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -1.135 |
