Janakpur Bolts continued their strong start in the Nepal Premier League (NPL), securing their second consecutive win with a dominant eight-wicket victory over the Karnali Yaks. The match, held at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Monday, saw a stellar batting performance from Anil Sah and Aasif Sheikh, guiding Janakpur to an easy chase of 142 runs.
Janakpur’s Clinical Chase
Chasing a modest target of 142, Janakpur wasted no time, reaching the target in just 15.1 overs. Their aggressive approach from the outset set the tone for the match, scoring a remarkable 55 runs in the powerplay and 85 runs by the 10th over. The foundation was laid early, and Janakpur looked unstoppable throughout the chase.
Aasif Sheikh was the first to fall, contributing a solid 36 runs off 29 balls before being dismissed by Mausam Dhakal in the 10th over. However, it was Anil Sah who stole the show, finishing unbeaten with a brilliant 62 runs off 42 balls. Sah’s innings featured six fours and three sixes, including a memorable straight six off Zeeshan Maqsood to bring up his half-century. Lahiru Milantha played a handy knock of 24 runs off 13 balls, while Jimmy Neesham added a quickfire 16 runs off eight balls to seal the win.
Karnali Yaks Struggle with the Bat
Earlier in the match, Karnali Yaks had posted 141/7 in their 20 overs, with their innings largely stifled by tight bowling from Janakpur. The Yaks’ late surge, powered by Arjun Gharti and Sompal Kami, added some respectability to their total, as the pair contributed 43 runs in the final two overs. Gharti scored 33 runs off 22 balls before being run out, while Kami remained unbeaten on 29 off 13 balls.
Gulsan Jha was the standout performer for Karnali, top-scoring with 36 runs off 27 balls. Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, making his NPL debut, had a disappointing outing, dismissed for just 14 runs off 14 balls.
Mohammad Mohsin Shines with the Ball
Janakpur’s bowlers were exceptional throughout the Yaks’ innings. Mohammad Mohsin was the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets for just 14 runs in his four overs. Lalit Rajbanshi, Kishore Mahato, and Harsh Thaker each claimed a wicket, ensuring that Karnali was never able to break free.
A Strong Start for Janakpur
This commanding win strengthens Janakpur’s position at the top of the NPL standings, following their eight-wicket victory over Biratnagar Kings in their opening match on Saturday. With two wins from two matches, Janakpur looks poised to make a strong push for the title. On the other hand, Karnali Yaks will need to regroup quickly after suffering back-to-back defeats to start the tournament.
As Janakpur continues their winning ways, the NPL is shaping up to be an exciting competition, and it’s clear that the Bolts are a force to be reckoned with.
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