Kathmandu: Janakpur Bolts made history on Saturday by lifting the inaugural Nepal Premier League (NPL) title, defeating Sudur Paschim Royals by five wickets in a thrilling final at the TU International Cricket Stadium.
Opting to bat first, Sudur Paschim Royals got off to a strong start, thanks to an explosive opening partnership between Saif Zaib and Binod Bhandari. Zaib played a scintillating knock of 69 off 43 balls, smashing eight fours and two sixes. Complimenting him was Bhandari, who added 41 off 31 balls, including a six and a boundary. Together, they put up a commanding 117-run stand by the 12th over, giving the Royals a firm grip on the match.
However, the Royals’ innings faltered after the openers’ dismissal. Janakpur’s bowlers, led by Kishore Mahato (3/25) and Mohammad Mohsin (3/40), triggered a middle-order collapse. Despite Harmeet Singh’s quick 14 off 8 balls and Scott Kuggeleijn’s 13, the Royals lost wickets in clusters. Their final score of 184/9, though competitive, fell short of fully capitalizing on their strong start.
Chasing 185, Janakpur Bolts began assertively. Captain Aasif Sheikh set the tone with a fiery 33 off 19 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. His aggressive approach eased the pressure early, allowing the team to maintain a healthy run rate.
The star of the chase, however, was Lahiru Milantha. The wicketkeeper-batsman played a sensational knock of 87 off just 49 balls, anchoring the innings with poise and aggression. His innings, studded with nine fours and four towering sixes, proved decisive.
Despite losing wickets at crucial junctures—including Milantha in the 16th over with 19 runs still required—Janakpur’s lower order held its nerve. Harsh Thaker’s unbeaten 30 off 24 balls ensured the chase was completed with four balls to spare. His composed knock, punctuated by two sixes, epitomized Janakpur’s depth and resilience.
Comment