Blaze hold their nerve to beat Tuskers by seven runs
Biratnagar defend 178 as captain Manish Limbu's final over seals a third straight win.
Biratnagar Blaze kept their unbeaten record on Friday, defending 178 for 6 to beat Chitwan Tuskers by seven runs at Kirtipur.
Tuskers needed 15 off the last over with two wickets in hand. Captain Manish Limbu, bowling through a sore hamstring, gave away just seven and removed the dangerous Arjun Tharu with his third ball.
A rebuild, then a late charge
Put in to bat, Blaze lost both openers inside the powerplay. Prakash Rai and Deepak Shrestha steadied things with a stand of 71, and the lower order added 54 from the last four overs to take the total out of reach of par.
Tuskers squeezed in the middle
Tuskers started the chase quickly and were 58 without loss after six overs. The Blaze spinners then took four wickets in five overs, and the required rate climbed above ten for the first time.
Tharu's 41 off 24 kept Chitwan in the game until the final over, but Limbu's change of pace did the rest.
What it means
Blaze move level with Janakpur Strikers on six points. Tuskers have lost three of their four games and need a strong finish to stay in the playoff race.
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