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Lumbini Lions defeated Chitwan Rhinos by 33 runs on Tuesday.

In today's first match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) held at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground at Kirtipur, the 'all-round' performance by Captain Rohit Paudel contributed to the Lumbini Lions' win.

Chitwan, who were chasing a 168-run victory target posted by Lumbini, could score only 134 runs at the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Luc Benkenstein scored the highest 31 runs for Chitwan. Similarly, skipper Kushal Malla hit 20 runs with the help of one boundary and one six in 17 balls while Ravi Bopara made12 runs in 16 balls.

Captain Paudel took four wickets, Ramon Simmonds two wickets, and Saad Bin Zafar and Abhisesh Gautam took one wicket each for Lumbini. 

Invited to bat first after losing the toss, Lumbini scored 167 runs in the 20 overs, losing six wickets. Captain Paudel scored the highest 80 runs for Lumbini. He hit six fours and five sixes in 68 balls.

Similarly, Zafar made unbeaten 52 runs with the help of four boundaries and one six in 35 balls while Arjun Saud scored 15 runs and Tom Moores made 10 runs for Lumbini.

For Chitwan, Rijan Dhakal took three wickets while captain Kushal Malla and Ranjit Kumar took one wicket each.

With this, Lumbini, which secured their first score, climbed to fifth place.

Chitwan are in third place with three wins and two defeats in five matches they have played so far.

Janakpur Bolts are in the top place of the scoreboard with victory in all matches they have played so far.

Monday served as a much-needed break day for the teams in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2024, offering a brief respite before the competition resumes. As the league stage reaches its halfway mark, the intensity is rising, with six out of the eight teams having played four matches each and the remaining two teams having played three matches each. With the teams now more familiar with the conditions and the stakes rising, the competition is becoming even more exciting.

At the top of the table, Janakpur Bolts continue to maintain their unbeaten record. Their remarkable run includes four consecutive wins, starting with a victory over Biratnagar Kings in the tournament opener, followed by wins against Karnali Yaks, Pokhara Avengers, and most recently, a close encounter against Lumbini Lions. With eight points from four matches, Janakpur has firmly established themselves as the team to beat and looks set to secure a playoff spot. 

Sudurpaschim Royals, sitting in second place with six points from four matches, are hot on Janakpur’s heels. The Royals boast the highest net run rate in the league (+2.188), which is a significant advantage. Despite suffering a 33-run defeat to Chitwan Rhinos in their last match, Sudurpaschim remain one of the favorites for the playoffs. Chitwan, also with six points from four games, is in a similar position, having won three of their last four matches. The Rhinos will be looking to build on their recent successes as they face Lumbini Lions, Biratnagar Kings, and Pokhara Avengers in their upcoming fixtures.

Karnali Yaks find themselves in fourth place with four points from four matches. However, with a net run rate of -0.427, they will need to make some improvements if they are to advance to the playoffs. The Yaks’ upcoming matches against Pokhara Avengers, Lumbini Lions, and Sudurpaschim Royals will be critical in their quest to climb the standings.

The mid-table battle is exceptionally tight, with Pokhara Avengers and Kathmandu Gurkhas both having two points from three games. Biratnagar Kings are also in a difficult position with just two points from four games, facing a do-or-die scenario in their upcoming matches against Pokhara, Chitwan, and Kathmandu. A few wins could propel these teams into the playoff mix, but they will need to perform under pressure.

At the bottom of the table, Lumbini Lions remain winless, having lost all four of their matches. Their chances of progressing to the knockout stages are very slim, and they will need a remarkable turnaround, relying on other teams’ results to keep their playoff hopes alive. A win in their next match against Chitwan Rhinos could ignite a comeback, but it’s a long road ahead for the Lions.

Individually, Lumbini’s skipper Rohit Kumar Paudel is having an outstanding tournament. Despite his team’s struggles, Paudel is currently the leading run-scorer with 181 runs, including a high score of 95. His form has been exceptional, but he will need support from his teammates to turn around Lumbini’s fortunes. Andries Gous, the wicketkeeper-batsman from Pokhara Avengers, is another standout performer. In just two games, Gous has scored 124 runs, including the first and only century of the tournament so far, making him one of the top contenders for the run-scoring title.

In the bowling department, Sohail Tanvir of Sudurpaschim Royals leads the way with nine wickets, including the first-ever five-wicket haul in the NPL. Nepali bowlers, particularly young talents like Bipin Sharma and Bipin Khatri, are also making significant contributions. Sharma, the 16-year-old, has six wickets to his name, while Khatri has taken five. Harsh Thaker and Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi have also impressed, with Thaker recently claiming a five-wicket haul. It’s worth noting that some of Nepal’s more experienced national team bowlers, such as Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC, and Sompal Kami, have not yet made it to the top 10 wicket-takers list, with young and overseas talent dominating the bowling charts.

In the fielding department, Naresh Bahadur Budayair of Sudurpaschim has been a standout, taking the most catches in the NPL so far. Budayair has accounted for seven dismissals, including a remarkable three catches in a single match against Chitwan Rhinos. Anil Sah of Janakpur and Ishan Pandey of Sudurpaschim have also been reliable, each taking four catches in four games.

With 13 matches remaining in the round-robin format, the competition is set to intensify in the second half of the league stage. Every team still has a chance to progress to the knockout stages, making the upcoming matches crucial for all sides involved. The NPL 2024 is shaping up to be a thrilling contest, and fans can expect plenty of drama and excitement as the league progresses.

On Tuesday, the NPL will feature two exciting matches. First, Chitwan Rhinos will face Lumbini Lions at 9 am, with Lumbini aiming for their first win of the tournament, while Chitwan looks to climb to second place on the points table. At 1 pm, Kathmandu Gurkhas will take on Pokhara Avengers, with both teams seeking their second win of the competition.

Bradley John Hodge, famously known as the “Smiling Assassin,” was a classic, elegant right-handed batsman who left a lasting impression with his signature blue Kookaburra bat sticker and the mesmerizing strokes he played during his prime. Representing Australia and his Sheffield team, Hodge also led the Victoria Cricket Team, a powerhouse of talent during the early days of T20 cricket. Victoria was often referred to as Australia’s “B team” due to the extraordinary players it produced, including Hodge himself, Cameron White, David Hussey, Peter Siddle, and Aaron Finch, all of whom posed significant threats to opponents.

Hodge was undoubtedly one of the most revolutionary batsmen of his time, with an exceptional understanding of the game, thanks to his vast experience. Before the rise of T20 cricket, he had already made his mark, holding records that showcased his dominance in the highest form of the game. As the highest run-scorer in Australian domestic cricket for Victoria and a T20 format champion, his credentials are unparalleled.

Although his international career was relatively short, in an era where securing a spot in the Australian national team was an extraordinary achievement, Hodge still averaged above 50 in Test cricket. He was also a proud member of the victorious 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup squad. Hodge truly shone in the T20 leagues, showcasing his elegant stroke play, big-hitting ability that cleared even the largest fences, and his astute captaincy. His contributions to the IPL during its early years were immense, as he brought vast experience and served as a crucial member of his franchise until his retirement.

As a coach, Hodge’s wealth of experience has benefited many international teams and franchise squads. His impact is now set to be felt by the Sudurpaschim Royals, not just because of his expertise but also due to his sheer presence, which is sure to electrify the crowd. Coaching a Nepali-based team is always a bonus, but having a personality like Brad Hodge, with his immense experience and stature, is a significant advantage.

Hodge, aka “Brad Hodge,” brings a “Big B” aura to the team, capable of polishing Nepal’s undiscovered diamonds. His contributions will undoubtedly be invaluable, not just for the franchise but for Nepali cricket as a whole.

Janakpur Bolts secured a thrilling one-run victory over Lumbini Lions in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Sunday at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. With this win, Janakpur extended their winning streak to four consecutive matches and moved to the top of the league table with eight points, while Lumbini remained at the bottom with zero points, having lost all four of their matches.

Batting first, Janakpur posted a total of 136/9 in their 20 overs. Captain Anil Sah led the way with a steady knock of 45 runs from 39 balls, anchoring the innings as wickets fell around him. The middle-order collapsed after Sah’s departure, with Harsh Thaker (one off three balls), Jimmy Neesham (one off two balls), and others failing to contribute significantly. However, Shubh Kansakar remained unbeaten, scoring 22 runs off 24 balls to help the team reach a challenging total.

Lumbini Lions’ bowlers put up a strong fight, with Abhishesh Gautam leading the attack, claiming three wickets for 20 runs. Saad Bin Zafar and Rohit Paudel also took two wickets each. Despite the Bolts losing wickets in the middle overs, their total of 136 runs proved just enough to set a challenging target for the Lions.

Chasing a target of 137 runs, Lumbini got off to a solid start but were unable to maintain the momentum. Ashutosh Ghiraiya (eight off 14 balls) and Arjun Saud (20 off 23 balls) got their innings going, but both fell early. Rohit Paudel, the Lumbini captain, played a crucial knock of 35 runs off 38 balls, keeping his team in the hunt. Tom Moores contributed a quick-fire 31 runs off 23 balls, while Ben Cutting (three off seven balls) and Bibek Yadav (zero off two balls) couldn’t capitalize on their starts.

The Lions’ innings faltered under pressure as the required run rate climbed. Thaker, who had earlier made an impact with the bat, turned the game with a superb bowling performance, claiming five wickets for 23 runs, including key dismissals of Paudel, Moores, and Zafar. With the Lions needing nine runs off the final over, Mohammad Mohsin and Kishore Mahato held their nerve, restricting Lumbini to 135/8 in 20 overs, just one run short.

After the match, Sheikh, Janakpur’s marquee player, spoke about the team’s success, attributing their continued winning streak to the strong balance within the squad and the positive atmosphere both on and off the field. “The team atmosphere is great, and we play together as a unit. Everyone contributes in different ways, and that’s why we’ve been so successful,” Sheikh said. “We focus on one match at a time. We’re never in a comfortable position. We have to work even harder in the next match.”

In the second game on Sunday, Chitwan Rhinos triumphed over Sudurpaschim Royals by 33 runs. Chasing a target of 165, Sudurpaschim were restricted to 131/10 in 18.2 overs, handing Chitwan a comfortable victory. With this win, Chitwan halted Sudurpaschim’s three-match winning streak. Despite the loss, Sudurpaschim remained second on the league table, with Chitwan moving up to third, both with six points. However, Sudurpaschim holds a higher net run rate.

Chitwan, who were asked to bat first, posted a total of 164/5 in 20 overs. Hassan Eisakhil was the standout performer for Chitwan, scoring a match-winning 65 off 52 balls. He was well-supported by Ravi Bopara, who contributed 36 off 18 balls. Chitwan’s innings also saw valuable contributions from Bipin Rawal (17) and Kushal Malla (13).

In the bowling department, Rijan Dhakal and Malla were key figures, with Dhakal taking two wickets for 33 runs and Malla picking up two wickets for 18 runs. Sohail Tanvir also claimed a wicket for Chitwan.

Sudurpaschim’s chase got off to a rocky start, with their top order collapsing under pressure. Saif Zaib’s quick-fire 18 off 11 balls was the highlight of their innings, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Ishan Pandey fought valiantly, scoring 35 off 28 balls, but it was not enough to prevent their defeat.

Rhinos’ bowling attack was relentless, with Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Ranjit Kumar, and Amar Routela each claiming wickets. Sudurpaschim were eventually bowled out for 131 in 18.2 overs, falling short by 33 runs.

There are no matches on Monday. On Tuesday, NPL will feature Chitwan Rhinos facing Lumbini Lions at 9 am, followed by Kathmandu Gurkhas taking on Pokhara Avengers at 1 pm. Lumbini will aim for their first win, while Chitwan will look to climb to second place on the points table. Meanwhile, Kathmandu and Pokhara will both seek their second win.