Janakpur Bolts Dominate Biratnagar Kings in NPL Opener
Janakpur Bolts made a statement in the inaugural match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) by securing a commanding 8-wicket victory over Biratnagar Kings. The match, held on Saturday at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, saw Janakpur chase down a target of 128 runs in just 15.2 overs, with only 2 wickets lost.
The match was defined by an outstanding third-wicket partnership of 116 runs between Lahiru Milantha and Harsh Thaker, which sealed the win for Janakpur. Milantha, who is originally from Sri Lanka but represents the United States, played a match-winning innings, remaining unbeaten on 75 runs from 53 balls. His innings included 9 fours and 2 sixes. Thaker contributed with a steady 29 runs off 33 balls, including 2 fours, and hit the winning boundary with a four off Nicholas Krutten.
Janakpur made the most of Biratnagar’s inconsistent bowling performance, which included 22 extras. Biratnagar’s bowling attack faltered right from the first over, as Chris Sole bowled three wides, with one going for four. Sole also dismissed Asif Sheikh for a duck in the first over, and Captain Anil Sah was sent back cheaply for just 5 runs by Pratish GC.
Earlier, Biratnagar Kings, who were asked to bat first after Janakpur won the toss, were restricted to a total of 127 runs in 19 overs. Martin Guptill was the highlight of the innings, contributing 55 runs from 43 balls, which included 7 fours and 1 six. Guptill’s half-century came in the 13th over with a six off Ben Mike, but he was dismissed the following over by Thaker, caught at long-on by Janakpur’s captain Shah.
The rest of the Biratnagar lineup struggled to build partnerships. Lokesh Bam was dismissed for 5 runs after hitting a boundary, and Akib Ilyas, the former Oman captain, managed just 15 runs before being dismissed lbw by Mohammad Mohsin. No other Biratnagar batsman reached double figures, with Nicholas Krutten, Rajesh Pulami, and Pratish GC falling for single-digit scores. Basir Ahmed and Sandeep Lamichhane were both dismissed for 7 runs, and Sole was sent back for just 4. Jitendra Mukhiya did not score, and Anil Kharel was left unbeaten on 7.
The standout performer with the ball for Janakpur was Lalit Rajbanshi, who claimed 3 wickets for 28 runs from 4 overs. Harsh Thaker and Kishor Mahato each took 2 wickets, with Thaker conceding 22 runs and Mahato 18 from 3 overs. Mohsin and Mike also contributed with a wicket each.
