Janakpur Bolts defeated Karnali Yaks by two wickets in a low-scoring thriller, setting up yet another encounter with Sudurpaschim Royals. This time, however, the stakes will be much higher as they face off in the final.
What happened in the previous two meetings?
In the league stage, Sudurpaschim Royals dominated Janakpur Bolts, securing a convincing 72-run victory. The two sides met again in the first qualifier, where the Bolts put up an improved performance but still succumbed to an 8-wicket defeat.
Who’s the favorite for this clash?
Sudurpaschim Royals are undoubtedly the team to beat in this Nepal Premier League. With just one defeat in eight matches, the Royals have been a formidable side, boasting a well-balanced squad. Their strong performances have drawn a passionate fanbase to the T.U. Cricket Ground, outnumbering even the Bolts’ supporters. Despite the cold mornings and non-holiday match schedules, Royals fans have consistently turned up in droves.
The final promises an exciting showdown between the league’s top two leading wicket-takers, Lalit Rajbanshi and Scott Kuggeleijn, both with 16 wickets. However, the Bolts’ top order has struggled, scoring just 82 runs between Lahiru Milantha and Aasif Sheikh in the last five matches. Adding to their woes, skipper Anil Sah was injured before the playoffs. James Neesham, batting at No. 6, has carried the Bolts’ batting lineup, contributing 40% of the team’s total runs in their last three matches with scores of 45, 45, and 65. If the Bolts are to pull off an upset, Neesham will undoubtedly hold the key.
Sudurpaschim Royals, on the other hand, have had contributions from multiple players. Four of their players are among the top 11 leading run-scorers in the competition, showcasing their depth. In contrast, Janakpur Bolts have three players among the top 10 wicket-takers, compared to the Royals’ two.
With all their bases covered, the Royals are the hot favorites to lift the inaugural Nepal Premier League (NPL) trophy. But underestimating the Bolts could prove costly, and the Royals will be keen to avoid any complacency.
The final begins at 12:15 pm on Saturday.
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
Janakpur Bolts (Probable Playing XIs)
Aasif Sheikh
Lahiru Milantha
Shubh Kansakar
James Neesham
Harsh Thaker
Akash Tripathi
Mayan Yadav
Muhammad Mohsin
Sher Malla
Lalit Rajbanshi
Kishore Mahato
