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The Sudurpaschim Royals (SPR) defeated Kathmandu Gurkhas by 73 runs on Thursday.

Chasing down the 168-run target posted by the Sudurpaschim Royals, the Kathmandu Gurkhas (KAG) were bundled out with 94 runs in 15.5 overs in the match held at the Tribhuvan University (TU) Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.  

Stephen Eskinazi scored the highest 37 runs for the Kathmandu Gurkhas with one six and five boundaries in 33 balls. Sumit Maharjan made 14 while Bhim Sarki, Gerhard Erasmus made 10 runs each and Pratik Shrestha scored eight. Other batters failed to score in double digits.

For the Sudurpaschim Royals, Naren Saud took five wickets followed by two from Abinash Bohora and one each from Brandon McMullen and Saif Zaib.  With this, the Sudurpaschim Royals registered their second win in the Nepal Premier League.  Earlier, they had defeated the Biratnagar Kings by 90 runs.

Sent into batting first after losing the toss, Sudurpaschim scored 167 runs in the allotted 20 overs at the loss of six wickets.

Brandon McMullen hit a half century for Sudurpaschim. He scored the highest 54 runs with the help of four sixes and three boundaries off 36 balls. Skipper Dipendra Singh Airee scored 42 runs including two sixes and three fours in 25 balls. Similarly, Binod Bhandari made 35 runs and Saif Zaib 11 runs.

For Kathmandu, Rashid Khan claimed two wickets. Gerhard Erasmus, Shahab Alamm and Captain Karan KC took one wicket each.

This is the second defeat faced by Kathmandu Gurkhas in the NPL so far. They had won one match out of three before this.

Janakpur Bolts defeated Pokhara Avengers by seven wickets, securing their third consecutive win in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) cricket tournament.

In the match held at the Kirtipur-based Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground on Thursday, Janakpur Bolts chased down a target of 139 runs in 17.1 overs, losing three wickets.

Lahiru Milantha top-scored for Janakpur Bolts with 45 runs, followed by James Neesham (40), Asif Sheikh (32) and Harsha Thakur (13).

Pokhara Avengers' bowling attack saw Captain Kushal Bhurtel, Michael Leask, and Bipin Khatri each take one wicket.

After losing the toss, Pokhara Avengers were invited to bat and posted a total of 138/7 in 20 overs.

Marcus Critchley was the top scorer for the Avengers with 35 runs, followed by Michael Leask (25), Andris Gous (20), Raymon Reifer (17), Dilip Nath (11) and Dinesh Kharel (10).

For Janakpur Bolts, Lalit Rajbanshi was the standout bowler, taking three wickets, while James Neesham claimed two wickets. Mohammad Mohsin and Kishore Mahato took one wicket each.

Wednesday at the Nepal Premier League (NPL) witnessed two nail-biting matches. Kathmandu Gurkhas clinched a three-wicket victory over Karnali Yaks in the first match, while Biratnagar Kings chased down the highest target of the tournament so far, defeating Lumbini Lions by two wickets in a dramatic finish.  

Kathmandu, winning the toss and electing to field at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, faced a target of 150 runs. They secured the win in 19.3 overs, thanks to Sumit Maharjan’s unbeaten 40 off 37 balls, which earned him the Player of the Match award. Captain Karan KC’s explosive 28 off 10 balls proved pivotal in the final moments.  

Batting first, Karnali posted 149/5 in their 20 overs, driven by Indian batsman Shikhar Dhawan’s unbeaten 72 off 51 balls. However, Karnali’s captain Sompal Kami acknowledged that they fell short of a more competitive total. “We were 10-20 runs short on this wicket, and our death-over batting did not go as planned,” Kami said.  

Kathmandu’s chase began with early setbacks, but steady contributions from Maharjan and Gerald Erasmus (38 off 28 balls) turned the tide.  

“Sumit’s innings was mature and consistent. He took the game forward brilliantly,” said KC, who also highlighted areas for improvement in bowling during the final overs.  

For Karnali, it was their second consecutive defeat. Kami praised Dhawan’s leadership, emphasizing his vital role in guiding the team. “Dhawan’s composure and planning have been crucial. Our young players will learn from his example,” he added.  

This victory marked Kathmandu’s first win in the tournament.

Biratnagar Kings chased a daunting 192-run target to secure their first win of the season. Lokesh Bam played a starring role, scoring 71 off 47 balls and forming a vital 77-run partnership with Bashir Ahmed (40 off 23 balls) for the fifth wicket. Bam also shared insights into the team’s mindset and strategy. “Despite the big target, I went in with confidence. Before going out to bat, we discussed opening well and trusting each other to win,” Bam said.

Biratnagar’s chase came down to the wire, with Chris Sole’s unbeaten 14 off four balls sealing the game in the final over. “We planned to maintain a run rate of 11-12. I had told my teammates in the morning that we would win,” Bam added.

Despite misfields and conceding 29 extra runs, including half from Bam himself as wicketkeeper, the team’s calculated chase secured the dramatic victory. Bam acknowledged the challenges of the Tribhuvan University ground and emphasized adapting to its conditions. “The wicket here is tough to bat on. Nepali players should adapt and become match winners,” he noted.

Lumbini had earlier posted 191/7, with Rohit Paudel scoring a brisk 46 off 29 balls. However, the decision to have Bivek Yadav bowl the last over proved costly as he conceded 15 runs, handing the victory to Biratnagar. “Bivek was a better option for the final over, with two right-handers on strike. If I bowled, the game could’ve ended in three balls,” said captain Paudel, defending his choice.

Though Yadav contributed a fiery unbeaten 19 off seven balls with the bat, his bowling was expensive, conceding 64 runs in 23 deliveries.

This win marked a much-needed turnaround for Biratnagar after two losses, while Lumbini began their campaign with a defeat.

Biratnagar Kings defeated Lumbini Lions to register their first victory under the Nepal Premier League T20 cricket tournament on Wednesday.

In the match held at Kirtipur-based TU Cricket Ground, Biratnagar won the match against Lumbini by two wickets. This is the first win of Biratnagar kings in the ongoing NPL. Earlier, they had lost two consecutive matches.

Chasing the target of 192 runs posted by Lumbini Lions, Biratnagar Kings won the match in 19.5 overs at the loss of eight wickets.

For Biratnagar's win, Lokesh contributed the highest 71 runs off 47 balls with six sixes and three fours. Similarly, Basir Ahmed scored 40 runs, Martin Guptill 28, Crish Sole 14 and Dipak Bohara nine runs.

For the bowling side, Durgesh Gupta of Lumbini took three wickets while Ramon Simmonds and Saad Bin Zafar two wickets each. Likewise, Bibek Yadav took one wicket.

Earlier, invited to bat first after losing the toss, Lumbini Lions scored 191 runs in 20 overs by losing seven wickets.

Captain Rohit Paudel scored the highest 46 runs off 29 balls with two sixes and four fours. Similarly, Tom Moores 30, Bibek Yadav 19, Arjun Saud 17, Ashutosh Ghiraiya and Saad Bin Zafar 15 runs each and Sundeep Jora 12 runs.

The Lumbini Lions had also got 29 extra runs to their total.