It’s almost certain that Sudur Paschim Royals will play in Qualifier 1, making this match more crucial for Karnali Yaks, Kathmandu Gurkhas, and Janakpur Bolts. Karnali Yaks can leapfrog Janakpur Bolts in the standings if they win by at least 12 runs, assuming they post a total of 160 runs. However, their playoff hopes could be dashed if they lose by 54 or more runs while chasing 160 against the Royals.
After losing their first two matches, Karnali Yaks have found tremendous form, winning four consecutive games. They will be aiming for a fifth straight victory to secure a spot in Qualifier 1. Babar Hayat, who replaced Shikhar Dhawan, is yet to make a significant impact. However, William Bosisto has been in fine touch, delivering two impactful knocks in the last three games, including a valuable 44 in their previous match. Arjun Gharti has also impressed with some eye-catching performances late down the order. Overall, their squad looks balanced and consistent. Bipin Sharma, unearthed through a talent hunt, has been a revelation, taking at least one wicket in every game—eight wickets in five matches so far. Nandan Yadav has excelled in death overs; in a recent match, needing only 9 runs to win, he conceded just 3 runs to secure victory for his team.
Sudur Paschim Royals showcased their resilience with an incredible 5-run win against Pokhara Avengers, defending a target when the Avengers needed just 8 runs off the final 7 balls. The Royals will look to carry this winning momentum forward. They have won all five of their matches while defending totals. Their sole loss came while chasing a target against Chitwan Rhinos. The addition of Harmeet Singh has bolstered the Royals’ bowling attack, making it even more formidable. Scott Kuggeleijn, with 13 wickets, has been leading the charge with the ball since the start of the tournament. Aarif Sheikh, who had struggled for runs earlier, made a crucial 42 in today’s victory—a promising sign for the Royals as they head into the business end of the tournament.
Probable Playing XI of Sudurpaschim Royals
Binod Bhandari (WK)
Saif Zaib
Brandon McMullen
Dipendra Singh Airee (c)
Ishan Pandey
Harmeet Singh
Md Aarif Sheikh
Naresh Budayair
Abinash Bohara
Scott Kuggeleijn
Naren Saud
Probable Playing XI (Karnali Yaks)
Dev Khanal
Babar Hayat
Chadwick Walton
William Bosisto
Zeeshan Maqsood
Gulsan Jha
Arjun Gharti
Sompal Kami
Nandan Yadav
Bipin Sharma
Unish Thakuri
