Mark Watt smashes second century in NPL history as Karnali Yaks dominate Lions by nine wickets

Karnali Yaks stormed to a nine-wicket victory over Lumbini Lions in Match 7 of the Nepal Premier League 2025, powered by a breathtaking century from Mark Watt at the TU International Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Watt's unbeaten 114 from just 44 balls not only delivered one of the tournament's most electrifying innings but also etched his name into NPL records as only the second centurion in league history, following Andries Gous' landmark hundred in the inaugural 2024 season.

Lumbini Lions, after being asked to bat first, posted 156 for 8, a total built around a steady 49 from captain Rohit Paudel. Though early wickets stalled momentum, Paudel anchored the innings effectively while JJ Smit (23 off 14) and Ruben Trumpelmann (29* off 14) injected late acceleration.

Karnali's bowlers maintained tight discipline, with Nandan Yadav picking up two wickets and Watt, Bosisto, Jha, and Khatri each chipping in, preventing Lumbini from pushing toward a more imposing total.

Karnali's chase, however, turned the match into a one-sided affair. Priyank Panchal fell for 12 in the fourth over, but that was the final breakthrough Lumbini would celebrate. Watt joined William Bosisto and immediately took control, dismantling every bowler with clean, fearless hitting. He reached fifty in rapid time and continued accelerating, eventually blasting 12 sixes and 6 fours in a strike-rate-defying innings of pure domination. Bosisto supported him calmly with 29* off 20 balls as the pair constructed an unbeaten 123-run stand.

The Yaks romped home in just 12.2 overs, completing the fastest successful chase of the season and one of the most commanding wins in NPL history. Watt’s century was the clear highlight—his 114 marking the first hundred of the 2025 season and the second in the competition’s history* after Andries Gous scored the inaugural NPL century during the 2024 edition.