Sudurpaschim Royals Reach NPL Final with Convincing 8-Wicket Win Over Janakpur Bolts

In a thrilling encounter on Wednesday, the Sudurpaschim Royals cruised into the final of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) with an 8-wicket victory over Janakpur Bolts in the first qualifier. With this dominant performance, the Royals now await the winner of the second qualifier, set to take place between Janakpur Bolts and Karnali Yaks on Thursday. The final is scheduled for Saturday, where the Royals will look to extend their winning streak.

Janakpur Bolts Face Karnali Yaks in Second Qualifier

Janakpur, who were defeated by Sudurpaschim Royals in the first qualifier, will now have to regroup and face Karnali Yaks in the second qualifier. The winner of this crucial match will earn a shot at the NPL Final, facing off against the Royals on Saturday. Earlier in the day, Karnali Yaks secured their place in the qualifiers by defeating Chitwan Rhinos in the eliminator.

Sudurpaschim Royals’ Dominant Chase

Set a modest target of 140 runs by Janakpur Bolts, Sudurpaschim Royals made light work of the chase, reaching the target in just 18.3 overs for the loss of only 2 wickets at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. The Royals’ innings was anchored by a brilliant performance from Binod Bhandari, who remained unbeaten on 58 runs.

Bhandari played a pivotal role in setting the foundation for the Royals’ win, forming a 59-run partnership with Brandon McMullen for the second wicket after the early dismissal of Saif Zaib. Bhandari’s stability at the crease helped the Royals recover and build a strong chase. He also shared a partnership with team captain Dipendra Singh Airee (20*), guiding the team closer to victory.

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Brandon McMullen made a valuable contribution with 25 runs, while Saif Zaib top-scored with 32 runs before being dismissed. The chase was completed efficiently, with the Royals securing a comfortable win.

Janakpur Bolts’ Struggle with the Bat

Earlier, Janakpur Bolts, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, struggled to post a competitive total. They were restricted to 139/9 in their allotted overs.

James Neesham was the standout performer for Janakpur, scoring a quickfire 45 runs off 23 balls, but he lacked support from the other batsmen. Lahiru Milantha was dismissed for just 12 runs, while captain Asif Sheikh made 11 runs before being bowled out. Shubh Kansakar contributed with 26 runs before being run out, and Harsh Thaker added a modest 12 runs. Arniko Yadav also chipped in with 11 runs, but Janakpur’s innings never truly gained momentum.

Royals’ Bowling Dominance

The Sudurpaschim Royals bowlers were exceptional throughout Janakpur’s innings. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee led from the front with a brilliant performance, taking 3 wickets. Saif Zaib also played a crucial role with the ball, claiming 2 wickets, while Scott Kuggeleign contributed with 1 wicket. Their efforts restricted Janakpur to a below-par total, giving the Royals a relatively easy target to chase.

Key Players’ Performance

Sudurpaschim Royals:
- Binod Bhandari: 58* runs
- Saif Zaib: 32 runs, 2 wickets
- Dipendra Singh Airee: 20* runs, 3 wickets
- Brandon McMullen: 25 runs
- Scott Kuggeleign: 1 wicket
Janakpur Bolts:
- James Neesham: 45 runs
- Shubh Kansakar: 26 runs
- Lalit Rajbanshi: 37 runs conceded in his spell
- Kishore Mahato: Took 2 wickets for Janakpur

With this win, Sudurpaschim Royals have secured their spot in the NPL Final, and now, attention turns to the second qualifier, where Janakpur Bolts will face Karnali Yaks in a winner-takes-all showdown. Will the Royals maintain their dominance, or will the Yaks or Bolts rise to the occasion? Stay tuned for more updates on the Nepal Premier League!

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