American batsman Lahiru Milantha shone brightly as Janakpur Bolts clinched the title of the Nepal Premier League (NPL).
In the final match held at the Tribhuvan University Ground in Kirtipur on Saturday, Janakpur defeated Sudurpaschim Royals by five wickets. With the victory, Janakpur secured a cash prize of NPR 11 million, while runners-up Sudurpaschim settled for NPR 5.1 million.
Chasing a target of 185 runs, Janakpur achieved the target in 19.2 overs, losing five wickets in the process. Milantha played a stellar innings, scoring 87 runs off 49 balls, including nine fours and four sixes. With this, Milantha also became the top scorer of the NPL, amassing 293 runs in the tournament. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
Captain Aasif Sheikh contributed 33 runs, while Harsh Thaker remained unbeaten on 30. On the bowling front for Sudurpaschim, Scott Kuggeleijn, captain Dipendra Singh Airee, Saif Zaib, and Ishan Pandey claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Sudurpaschim Royals opted to bat first and posted a competitive 184/9 in their 20 overs. Saif Jave top-scored for Sudurpaschim with a half-century, making 69 runs off 43 balls with eight fours and two sixes. Binod Bhandari supported him with a valuable 41 off 31 balls, including one four and three sixes.
The duo of Zaib and Bhandari put up a 117-run partnership for the first wicket. Harmit Singh and Brandon McMullen chipped in with 14 runs each, while Kuggeleijn added 13. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee scored 9 runs, Naresh Budhayer managed 8, and Ishan Pandey contributed 6 runs.
For Janakpur, Mohammad Mohsin and Kishore Mahato were the standout bowlers, each taking three wickets. Lalit Rajbanshi and James Neesham claimed one wicket apiece.
The final also marked Janakpur’s redemption against Sudurpaschim, who had defeated them twice earlier in the tournament — once in the league stage by 72 runs and again in the first qualifier by eight wickets. Backed by a crowd of 20,000 spectators, Janakpur showcased why they deserved the title.
Among the eight franchise teams in the NPL, Karnali Yaks finished third, while Chitwan Rhinos secured the fourth position. Karnali received NPR 2.5 million, and Chitwan earned NPR 1.5 million as prizes.
