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The Nepal Premier League (NPL) witnessed a low-scoring double-header on Wednesday at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, with Sudurpaschim Royals crushing Janakpur Bolts by 72 runs in the first match and Kathmandu Gurkhas eliminating Lumbini Lions with an 18-run victory in the second. Lumbini became the first team to exit the playoff race after their disappointing campaign.

Defending a modest target of 124, Sudurpaschim Royals delivered a stellar bowling performance, dismissing Janakpur for just 51 runs in 12.1 overs. Ishan Pandey, the Player of the Match, shone with an all-around performance, scoring 17 runs off 14 balls and picking up 2/11 with the ball.

Janakpur, unbeaten in their previous four matches, collapsed dramatically. Their top six batters failed to reach double digits, leaving them reeling at 28/5 within the first four overs. The middle and lower order could only add 23 more runs, succumbing to Sudurpaschim’s clinical bowling attack.

“We knew that scoring over 110 would put us 60–70 percent ahead. Our spinners executed the plan perfectly on this track,” said Pandey post-match. He credited the strategy of opening with spin against international players and capitalizing on the spin-friendly conditions.

Sudurpaschim’s captain, Dipendra Singh Airee, also contributed with figures of 2/27, while Harmeet Singh was exceptional, claiming 2/2 in four overs, including two maidens.

Reflecting on their previous loss to Chitwan Tigers, Pandey remarked that the victory against Janakpur was essential for boosting team morale. On a lighter note, Pandey expressed excitement about the Cricket Association of Nepal’s announcement of cricket legend Brian Lara’s upcoming visit. “As a left-handed batsman, Lara was my idol. Meeting him will be a dream come true,” he said.

The victory propelled Sudurpaschim Royals to the top of the league standings, while Janakpur Bolts dropped to second place.

In the second match, Kathmandu Gurkhas defended a modest 104-run target, securing their second win in four matches. The loss marked the end of Lumbini Lions’ playoff race, with five defeats in six games.

Kathmandu struggled with the bat, managing just 103 runs in 19.2 overs. Bhim Sharki top-scored with 31 off 40 balls, and Dan Douthwaite added 21. Lumbini’s Saad Bin Zafar impressed with the ball, taking 3/21.

However, Lumbini’s batting woes continued as they failed to chase the low target, getting bowled out for 85 runs in 19.2 overs. Sundeep Jora was the lone bright spot with a 26-run knock. Kathmandu’s captain Karan KC delivered a match-winning spell of 4/16 and was ably supported by Dipesh Kandel, who took 3/6 in four overs.

The Lumbini Lions began their NPL journey with promise, scoring 191 runs in their opening match against Biratnagar Kings. However, poor bowling allowed Biratnagar to chase the target in a thrilling last-over finish.

In their second match, Lumbini posted 170 runs against Pokhara Avengers, but the opening pair of Dinesh Kharel and Andries Gous dominated, completing the chase without losing a wicket.

The third match saw another batting collapse as Lumbini managed only 142 runs in response to Sudurpaschim Royals’ 187. Despite Bibek Yadav’s valiant unbeaten 77, the team fell short.

A narrow loss in the fourth match against Janakpur Bolts further dented their campaign. Despite restricting Janakpur to 136, Lumbini fell one run short of the target.

Their only victory came in the fifth match against Chitwan Tigers, where captain Rohit Paudel’s all-round brilliance (80 runs and four wickets) led them to a 33-run win.

Paudel was a standout performer, scoring 269 runs and taking seven wickets in six matches. Reflecting on the team’s performance, he said, “We could not bowl well in the opening matches, and our batting let us down in the final games.”

The NPL is set for an action-packed double-header on Thursday too. The day will begin with the 20th match of the tournament, where the Pokhara Avengers will face the Biratnagar Kings at 9:00 am. Later, at 1:00 pm, the Janakpur Bolts will take on the Kathmandu Gurkhas in the 21st match.

Kathmandu Gurkhas defeated Lumbini Lions by 18 runs in the second match of the Nepal Premier League on Wednesday.

In the match held at the TU International Cricket Ground, Lumbini failed to reach the target of 104 runs set by Kathmandu Gurkhas.

Sandeep Zora was the highest scorer with 26 runs for Lumbini. For Kathmandu, captain Karan KC took four wickets and Dipesh Kandel took three wickets. Similarly, Jehard Erasmus took two wickets.

Earlier, Kathmandu, won the toss and decided to bat first and scored 103 runs in 19.2 overs.

Bhim Sarki top-scored with 31 runs followed by Dan Dwthwaite who contributed 21 runs.

For the bowling side, Saad Win Zafar took three wickets while Abhishesh Gautam and Ramon Simmonds took two wickets each.

Lumbini managed to collect just two points in six matches with five loss and one win.

With this defeat, Lumbini have been eliminated from the competition in the league stage, before playing one last game.

With the win, Kathmandu have risen to the fifth place in the points table.

Sudurpaschim Royals trounced Janakpur Bolts in the first match played today under the Nepal Premier League T20 Cricket Tournament. This is Janakpur's first defeat of the tournament.

The spinners of Sudurpaschim gave their best performance in the match held at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, clinching a 72-run victory for the team.

Janakpur Bolts, who were chasing a 124-run victory target posted by Sudurpaschim, scored only 51 runs in 12.1 overs at the loss of all wickets.

Janakpur and Sudurpaschim both have equal eight points from five matches so far.

No Janakpur Bolts players except Joshua Tromp could score runs in the double digits. Tromp hit the highest of 13 runs for Janakpur. 

Sudurpaschim's Harmit Singh, Dipendra Singh Airee and Ishan Pandey each took two wickets while Saif Zaib, Scott Kuggeleijn and Naren Saud took one wicket each to limit Janakpur to 52 runs.

Batting first after winning the toss, Sudurpaschim collected 123 runs in the allotted 20 overs at the loss of nine wickets.

Opener Binod Bhandari scored the highest 33 runs with the help of three fours and one six in 37 balls. Saib Zaib made 21 runs, Ishan Pandey 17 runs and Brandon McMullen 11 runs. Other players could not score runs in the double digits.

Kishor Mahato alone claimed four wickets for Janakpur. Similarly, Sher Malla and Araniko Yadav each took two wickets while Harsh Thakur took one wicket.

Karnali Yaks defeated Pokhara Avengers by seven wickets in today's second match under Nepal Premier League (NPL) T20 cricket tournament.

Batting first after winning the toss in the match held at TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Pokhara scored 103 runs losing all the wickets in 16.3 overs.

Dinesh Kharel scored the highest 26 runs for Pokhara while Andries Gauss scored 25, Ramon Reffer 20, captain Kushal Bhurtel and Bipin Khatri scored 10 each.

For the bowling side, William Bosisto took six wickets for Karnali. Similarly, captain Sompal Kami, Bipin Sharma and Yunish Thakuri took one wicket each.

In reply, Karnali surpassed the Pokhara total in 15 overs, at the loss of three wickets.

Gulsan Jha scored an unbeaten 49 for Karnali. Similarly, Chadwick Walton (42) was another notable contributor to Karnali's win.

For Pokhara, Bipin Khatri, Sagar Dhakal and Kushal Bhurtel took one wicket each.

This is Karnali's third win in five matches so far while Pokhara have suffered their third loss in four matches.