Set a target of 128 runs after Biratnagar’s innings, Janakpur chased down the required score in just 15.2 overs, losing only 2 wickets.
Janakpur Bolts made an electrifying start to their campaign in the inaugural Nepal Premier League (NPL), securing a dominant 8-wicket victory over Biratnagar Kings. The thrilling match took place on Saturday at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, where the Bolts showcased exceptional batting and disciplined bowling to clinch the win.
Chasing a modest target of 128 runs, Janakpur made light work of the chase, reaching the target in just 15.2 overs with only two wickets down. The foundation of their victory was an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 116 runs between Sri Lankan-born, US cricketer Lahiru Milantha and Harsh Thaker.
Milantha played a brilliant knock, remaining unbeaten on 75 runs from 53 balls, which included 9 boundaries and 2 sixes. Thaker, providing solid support, scored 29 runs off 33 balls, hitting 2 fours. The match concluded with Thaker striking the winning boundary—a four off Nicholas Krutten’s bowling—sealing the game for Janakpur.
Janakpur capitalised on Biratnagar’s erratic bowling performance, which saw them concede 22 extras. The opening over was particularly costly for Biratnagar, as Chris Sole bowled three wides, with one delivery even going for a four. Sole also struck early, dismissing Asif Sheikh for a duck in the first over. Captain Anil Sah was another early casualty, falling to Pratish GC for just 5 runs.
Earlier, Biratnagar were bowled out for a meager 127 runs in 19 overs after Janakpur won the toss and opted to field. Martin Guptill top-scored for Biratnagar with an impressive 55 runs off 43 balls, including 7 fours and 1 six. Guptill reached his half-century in style, hitting a six off Ben Mike in the 13th over. However, he was dismissed by Thaker the following over, caught at long-on by Janakpur’s captain, Shah.
Biratnagar’s innings started shakily, with Lokesh Bam, who had hit a boundary in the first over, being bowled by Lalit Rajbanshi for just 5 runs in the second over. Former Oman captain Akib Ilyas managed just 15 runs off 18 balls before being dismissed lbw by Mohammad Mohsin. Apart from Guptill and Ilyas, no other Biratnagar batsmen managed to reach double figures.
The middle order struggled as well, with Nicholas Krutten, Rajesh Pulami, and Pratish GC falling for single-digit scores. Basir Ahmed and Sandeep Lamichhane were dismissed for 7 runs each, and Chris Sole was out for just 4. Jitendra Mukhiya also failed to score, while Anil Kharel remained unbeaten on 7 runs.
For Janakpur, Lalit Rajbanshi was the standout bowler, claiming 3 wickets for 28 runs from his 4 overs. Thaker and Kishor Mahato each took 2 wickets, with Thaker conceding 22 runs and Mahato 18 runs from 3 overs. Mohammad Mohsin and Ben Mike added one wicket each, contributing to the overall team effort.
With this win, Janakpur Bolts have sent a strong message in the NPL, blending solid batting with sharp bowling to kick off their season in style.
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