Kathmandu defeat Janakpur in NPL opener
Kathmandu Gorkhas began their second season of Nepal Premier League (NPL) campaign with a five-wicket victory over defending champion Janakpur Bolts in the opening day-night match played under floodlights at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Monday.
Chasing a target of 131, Kathmandu reached 131/5 in 18 overs. Ben Charlesworth powered the innings with a blistering 46 off 23 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes. Opener Aakash Tripathi anchored the chase with 39 runs from 45 deliveries. Though the Gorkhas lost quick wickets in the middle overs, short cameos from Milind Kumar (19), John Simpson (13) and Mohammad Aadil Alam (8* off 4) ensured a comfortable finish.
Earlier, Janakpur Bolts posted 130/6 in their 20 overs after being put in to bat. Aasif Sheikh top-scored with a fluent 54 off 41 balls, while Mayan Yadav contributed an unbeaten 34 off 29. Janakpur struggled for momentum as Kathmandu’s Milind Kumar produced an excellent spell, taking three wickets for 15 runs. He was awarded man of the match. Santosh Yadav and Shahab Alam claimed one wicket each, while Karan KC picked up one wicket but was expensive.
The Gorkhas dominated the powerplay with 55 runs without loss and maintained control throughout the chase.
The tournament continues tomorrow with Chitwan Rhinos facing Kathmandu Yaks at 11:45 am, followed by a day-night clash between Biratnagar Kings and Pokhara Avengers at 4:00 pm, both matches set to be played in Kirtipur.
Janakpur and Kathmandu to lock horns in NPL opener today
Defending champions Janakpur Bolts and Kathmandu Gurkhas are locking their horns in the opening match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) beginning today.
The match will begin at 4 pm in the Kirtipur-based International Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground.
In the first edition of the NPL, Janakpur had easily defeated Kathmandu.
Janakpur which was under the leadership of Pubudu Dassanayake, also the former coach of the Nepali national team, in the first edition now is playing under the leadership of Shivnarine Chadrapaul of the West Indies.
Likewise, Kathmandu has appointed Monti Desai of India as the main coach of iots team for the second edition.
Monti is also the former chief coach of the Nepali national team.
Kane double seals perfect World Cup qualification for England
England captain Harry Kane poached a late double for his side to complete a record-setting World Cup qualification campaign with a hard-earned 2-0 victory away to Albania in Group K on Sunday, Reuters reported.
It had looked like England might drop their first points, but Kane tapped home from close range in the 74th minute when Albania failed to deal with a corner.
He then made it 2-0 eight minutes later with a clinical header from substitute Marcus Rashford's deep cross, according to Reuters.
Norway book World Cup spot and force Italy into playoffs
Norway qualified for the 2026 World Cup on Sunday after a 4-1 win away to Italy in their final qualifying match, condemning the hosts, who have missed out on the last two editions of the tournament, to the playoffs, Reuters reported.
Norway ended the qualifying campaign with a perfect record of eight wins, finishing six points ahead of four-times World Cup winners Italy, who will compete in the playoffs for the third consecutive occasion.
Needing a nine-goal win because of Norway’s superior goal difference, the Italians came out full of aggression and made the early breakthrough just after the 10-minute mark, as Francesco Pio Esposito swept in a close-range finish, according to Reuters.
