In a dominant display of cricket, Sudurpaschim Royals triumphed over Biratnagar Kings by 90 runs in the fourth match of the ongoing Nepal Premier League at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, on Tuesday.
Royals Set a Challenging Target
After being put in to bat, Sudurpaschim Royals set the tone with an imposing target of 183 runs. Their innings, however, got off to a rocky start when Amit Shrestha was dismissed for just 1 run, caught by Martin Guptill off Ismat Alam in the second over. The middle order soon faced pressure, as Binod Bhandari (23) and Brandon McMullen (36) both fell to the bowling of Anil Kharel. Bhandari was caught by Pratis GC, and McMullen was dismissed in a similar manner.
The Royals found themselves at 69-4 by the 11th over, struggling to establish a foothold. But captain Dipendra Singh Airee’s electrifying innings brought them back on track. Airee’s 57 not out from just 24 balls, punctuated by three fours and five sixes, turned the game in the Royals’ favor. His aggressive stroke play ignited the scoreboard, helping the team reach a formidable 182-7.
Ishan Pandey’s quick 21 and late cameos from Scott Kuggeleijn (10) and Basant Khatri (4) further boosted the total, ensuring the Royals ended their innings with momentum.
Kings’ Batting Collapse
Biratnagar Kings’ chase started on a nightmarish note. Martin Guptill, one of their key batters, was dismissed for a duck in the very first over, setting the stage for an uphill battle. Lokesh Bam (2) and Nicholas Kirton (5) were also quickly dismissed, leaving the team in shambles at 11-3.
Though Rajesh Pulami (15) and Basir Ahamad (24) fought back with some resistance, their efforts were not enough. The pressure mounted as regular wickets fell, with Abinash Bohara’s sharp bowling spell (3-17) and Scott Kuggeleijn’s trio of wickets (3-30) dismantling the middle and lower order.
Biratnagar’s innings was ultimately cut short at 92 runs in 16.1 overs, handing Sudurpaschim Royals a decisive 90-run victory.
Key Performances
- Dipendra Singh Airee led the Royals with an extraordinary 57 not out, showing why he is a formidable captain and batsman.
- Abinash Bohara and Scott Kuggeleijn were instrumental with the ball, claiming 3 wickets each and choking the Kings’ batting lineup.
This match further solidified Sudurpaschim Royals’ status as a formidable contender in the Nepal Premier League, displaying both resilience and power when it mattered most.
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