Kathmandu, Nov 30: Janakpur Bolts triumphed in the opening match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL).
In the game held at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Janakpur Bolts defeated Biratnagar Kings by eight wickets. Batting first after losing the toss, Biratnagar Kings were all out for 127 runs in 19 overs. Chasing a modest target of 128 runs, Janakpur Bolts achieved the target in just 15.3 overs with the loss of two wickets.
For Janakpur Bolts, foreign player Lahiru Milantha starred with an unbeaten half-century. He scored 75 runs off 53 balls, hitting nine fours and three sixes. Another foreign player, Harsh Thaker, remained not out with 29 runs off 33 balls, including two boundaries. Captain Anil Kumar Sah contributed five runs, while Aasif Sheikh departed for a duck.
In the bowling department for Biratnagar Kings, Chris Sole and Pratish GC took one wicket each. Biratnagar also conceded 22 extra runs.
Earlier, Biratnagar Kings managed to score 127 runs in 19 overs, with Martin Guptil hitting a half-century. Guptil scored 55 runs off 43 balls, including a six and seven fours. Aaqib Ilyas contributed 15 runs, Nicholas Kirton scored nine, Lokesh Bam scored five, while Basir Ahmed, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Anil Kharel chipped in with seven runs each.
For Janakpur Bolts, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets. Kishore Mahato and Harsh Thaker picked up two wickets each, while Mohammad Mohsin and Ben Mike grabbed one wicket each. #NPL
