Kathmandu: Scottish all-rounder Mark Watt smashed a Nepal Premier League (NPL) record century for Karnali Yaks as they cruised to a commanding nine-wicket victory over Lumbini Lions to claim their first win of the season at TU Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur, Saturday.

The 29-year-old produced a blistering unbeaten 114 off just 44 balls as the Yaks raced to 161-1 in 12.2 overs chasing the Lions’ total of 156-8 in the franchise-based T20 tournament.

With the result, the Yaks registered their maiden victory of the campaign in their second outing, handing national team captain Rohit Paudel-led Lions their first defeat.

Watt brought up his century in 41 balls and sealed the chase in style hammering two consecutive sixes off D’Arcy Short. The player-of-the-match struck 12 towering sixes and six fours to notch the first century of the ongoing NPL season and only the second in the competition’s history.

The Scot also surpassed the previous highest individual score — an unbeaten 104 by Andries Gous for Pokhara Avengers last season, also against Lumbini Lions in a 10-wicket victory.

Watt shared a dominant 130-run partnership for the second wicket with William Bosisto, who remained unbeaten on 29 off 20 balls. Opener Priyank Panchal was dismissed for 12 off 10 deliveries.

Sher Malla was the only wicket-taker for the Lions, removing opener Panchal.

Earlier put in to bat first, Lions’ skipper Paudel top-scored with 49 off 43 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes. Lower-middle-order batter Ruben Trupelmann contributed an unbeaten 29 off 14 while Johannes Smit added 23 off 14. Opener D’Arcy Short chipped in with 19 off 14.

For the Yaks, Nandan Yadav returned figures of 2-38 from his four overs while skipper Sompal Kami, Watt, Gulshan Jha, Bipin Sharma and Yuvraj Khatri claimed one wicket each.