Kathmandu, Dec. 4 -- Shahab Alam shone with a six-wicket haul, including a hat-trick, as Kathmandu Gorkhas beat Pokhara Avengers by 13 runs in the Nepal Premier League match at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur on Thursday.

With the win, Kathmandu booked their spot for the playoff. Kathmandu is currently placed second in the points table with 10 points, with five wins and two losses as they completed their group-stage matches. Kathmandu is the second team to reach the playoffs after Sudurpashcim Royals.

Kathmandu made a shaky start after being invited to bat first. Aakash Tripathi fell for a duck in the first over, and Rashid Khan departed, leaving Kathmandu reeling under 21-2. Ben Charlesworth steadied the innings with a...