In a thrilling contest at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Biratnagar Kings clinched a dramatic two-wicket victory over Lumbini Lions in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Wednesday. The match, which witnessed explosive batting and nail-biting moments, was a true showcase of the excitement that the inaugural season of the NPL has to offer.
Lumbini Lions Post a Massive Target
Lumbini Lions, after opting to bat first, posted an imposing total of 191/6 in their allotted 20 overs. This score not only gave them a commanding position but also became the highest total posted in the inaugural season of the NPL, setting a difficult challenge for the Kings.
The Lions’ innings was anchored by their captain Rohit Paudel, who top-scored with 46 runs off 29 balls, featuring six boundaries, including two massive sixes. English batsman Tom Moores also made a strong contribution, scoring 30 runs off 17 balls, with four boundaries, including three sixes. Despite these key knocks, Lumbini Lions were plagued by run-outs, with four of their batsmen, including opener Ashutosh Ghiraiya, Moores, Sundeep Jora, and Australian allrounder Ben Cutting, being dismissed in this manner.
The Kings’ bowlers were tight and disciplined, with Sandeep Lamichhane, Ismat Alam, and Rajesh Pulami each claiming one wicket. However, it was the run-out fielding that made the biggest impact in keeping the Lions’ total under check.
Kings’ Chase: A Thrilling Finish
In reply, the Biratnagar Kings chased down the daunting target in a tense finish, completing their chase with one ball to spare, finishing at 192/8 in 19.5 overs. Opener Lokesh Bam played an outstanding knock, scoring 71 runs off 47 balls, including nine boundaries and six towering sixes. His explosive innings kept the Kings in the hunt throughout the chase.
Basir Ahmad also provided valuable support with a blistering 40 runs off 23 balls, featuring six boundaries and a six. These contributions, combined with some smart batting from the tailenders, kept the chase on course.
With 15 runs required from the final over, the pressure was on as Lumbini Lions’ Bibek Yadav came in to bowl. Yadav’s first two deliveries were wides, adding to the drama, before he dismissed Kings’ captain Lamichhane. However, the Kings’ Scottish import, Chris Sole, seized the opportunity. Coming in with four balls left, Sole blasted a six followed by two boundaries, bringing the Kings over the line in a pulsating finish.
Lions’ Bowling Efforts Fall Short
The Lions’ bowlers fought hard but could not halt the Kings’ charge. Durgesh Gupta was the standout performer for the Lions, claiming three wickets for 21 runs from his four overs, with an excellent economy rate of 5.25 runs per over. West Indian bowler Ramon Simmonds and Canadian allrounder Saad Bin Zafar also contributed with two wickets each, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Kings from clinching the win.
Conclusion: A Classic NPL Thriller
This match will go down as one of the most exciting encounters in the NPL so far, with both teams showing immense skill and determination. The thrilling chase by Biratnagar Kings, led by the powerful hitting of Lokesh Bam and Chris Sole, ensured that the game was decided in the final moments. For Lumbini Lions, despite the loss, there were positives to take away, especially the strong performances from Paudel and Moores.
With the Kings emerging victorious, the NPL continues to deliver thrilling cricket and promise more exciting encounters in the days to come.
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