In the opening match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), Anil Shah-led Janakpur Bolts secured a commanding 8-wicket victory over Sandeep Lamichhane’s Biratnagar Kings.
Chasing a target of 128 runs set by Biratnagar Kings, Janakpur Bolts comfortably reached the target in just 15.3 overs with 8 wickets in hand at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
Lahiru Milantha, who batted at number three, was the standout performer for Janakpur, scoring an unbeaten 75 runs off 53 balls, including 9 fours and 3 sixes. Harsh Thaker contributed an unbeaten 29 runs. After openers Anil Shah (5 runs) and Aasif Sheikh (0 runs) were dismissed early, Milantha and Thaker built an unbroken 116-run partnership for the third wicket. For Biratnagar, Chris Sole and Pratish GC picked up one wicket each.
Earlier, Biratnagar Kings, batting first after losing the toss, were bowled out for 127 runs in 19 overs.
New Zealand’s star cricketer Martin Guptill was the top scorer for Biratnagar, scoring 55 runs off 43 balls with 7 fours and 1 six. Aside from Aqib Ilyas, who scored 15 runs, no other batter managed to reach double figures.
Biratnagar Kings were in a strong position at 96/3 but collapsed dramatically after Guptill was caught out by off-spinner Harsh Thaker on the last ball of the 14th over. From 96/3, the team slipped to 112/9 and were eventually bowled out for 127.
In Janakpur’s bowling attack, left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 28 runs in 4 overs. Kishore Mahato and Harsh Thaker picked up 2 wickets each, while Ben Mike and Mohammad Mohsin claimed one wicket each.
