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Sudurpaschim Royals defeated Karnali Yaks by six wickets in the last match of the league stage in the ongoing Nepal Premier League T20 Cricket Tournament.

Sudurpaschim achieved the 102-run target set by Karnali in 15.2 overs at the loss of four wickets. The match was held at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

Captain Dipendra Singh Airee and Ishan Pandey scored 38 runs each for Sudurpaschim. Similarly, Saif Zaib made 11 runs, Binod Bhandari and Aarif Sheikh hit four runs each, Brandon MacMullen three runs. Sudurpaschim secured seven extra runs in the match.

Towards bowling, captain Sompal Kami, Bipin Sharma and Nandan Yadav took one wicket each.

Sent into bat first after losing the toss, Karnali Yaks made 101 runs in the allotted 20 overs at the loss of 10 wickets.

Zeeshan Maqsood scored highest 30 runs with the help of four fours in 35 balls for Karnali. William Bosisto scored 16 runs, Babar Hayat 13, and captain Sompal Kami and Chadwick Walton each made 11 runs.

Towards bowling, Harmeet Singh took the highest three wickets for Sudurpaschim. Similarly, captain Dipendra Singh Airee and Scott Kuggeleijn took two wickets each while Saif Zaib took one wicket.

Playoff equation completes

The playoff equation of NPL has been completed with the conclusion of the league stage games. Karnali have entered the playoff despite losing to Sudurpaschim. Kathmandu Gurkhas are out of the playoff stage. 

Janakpur Bolts, Chitwan Rhinos and Sudurpaschim Royals have already reached the playoff stage before this.

Sudurpscahim will play against Janakpur in the first qualifier of NPL while Chitwan and Karnali will vie in the eliminator match.

Sudurpaschim Royals triumphed over Pokhara Avengers by a narrow five-run margin in their Nepal Premier League (NPL) clash at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground on Sunday.

With this win, Sudurpaschim have secured a spot in the playoffs, sitting atop the table with 10 points, alongside Janakpur Bolts, who have also qualified. Chitwan Rhinos, with eight points, have secured their place in the playoffs as well.

The final playoff spot will be decided in the upcoming match between Karnali Yaks and Sudurpaschim Royals on Monday. If Karnali suffers a heavy defeat, Kathmandu Gurkhas will qualify for the playoffs. Karnali, however, will secure a place in the playoffs despite a competitive loss.

The top two teams in the league will face off in the first qualifier, with the winner advancing to the final, while the losing team will get another chance in the second qualifier. The third and fourth-placed teams will compete in the eliminator, with the winner moving to the second qualifier.

The Royals posted a challenging total of 153/7 in 20 overs, and despite a determined chase by Pokhara, they were restricted to 148 all out in 19.4 overs. Scott Kuggeleijn was the standout performer, claiming an impressive five wickets for just 18 runs, earning him the Player of the Match award. His brilliant bowling spell helped thwart Pokhara’s chase as they fell agonizingly short of the target.

The Royals’ innings saw steady contributions, with Aarif Sheikh leading the charge, scoring 42 off 38 balls. Despite early wickets, Sudur Paschim managed to post a total of 153/7, with notable contributions from Brandon McMullen (23) and Dipendra Singh Airee (20).

In reply, Pokhara Avengers were off to a shaky start, with key batsmen falling early. Andries Gous top-scored with 36, while Kiran Thagunna contributed 32. However, Kuggeleijn’s brilliant spell and Harmeet Singh’s support, claiming three wickets for 26 runs, ultimately led to the Avengers’ downfall as they were dismissed for 148.

In the first game on Sunday, Kathmandu Gurkhas secured a nail-biting victory over Biratnagar Kings, winning by one wicket with 11 balls to spare.

Chasing a target of 118, Kathmandu’s top-order faced early setbacks, losing key wickets at regular intervals. Stephen Eskinazi (1), Michael Levitt (10), and Gerhard Erasmus (12) all fell cheaply, leaving the Gurkhas struggling at 24/4. However, a gritty 39 from Pratik Shrestha and a crucial 14 from Rashid Khan brought the team back on track.

Dipesh Kandel played a match-winning cameo, remaining unbeaten on 11 off 5 balls, helping Kathmandu over the line with 120/9 in 18.1 overs. Despite the tense chase, Kathmandu managed to reach their target with 11 balls remaining.

Earlier, Biratnagar Kings posted a total of 117, with their top scorers being Dipak Bohara (20) and Rajesh Pulami (25). Kathmandu’s bowlers, led by Dipesh Kandel (2/16) and Sandeep Lamichhane (3/19), proved pivotal in restricting the Kings to a modest total.

Kandel’s all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award, having contributed with both bat and ball.

In Saturday’s match between Chitwan Rhinos and Janakpur Bolts, Jimmy Neesham scored a blistering half-century off just 18 balls. He hit four fours and five sixes during his rapid innings. Neesham was initially caught on the first ball of the 15th over, but it was a no-ball. At that point, Neesham had scored 58 runs. He then hit a six off the subsequent free hit before being dismissed on the fourth ball. Neesham finished with 65 runs from 24 balls, including five fours and six sixes. This was the fastest half-century in NPL history.

Despite Neesham’s explosive knock, Janakpur lost the match by 32 runs.

Kathmandu Gurkhas defeated Biratnagar Kings by one wicket in today's first match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Cricket Tournament held at TU Cricket Ground Kirtipur. 

Kathmandu achieved the 118-run victory target posted by Biratnagar in 18.1 overs at the loss of eight wickets.

Pratik Shrestha top scored 39 runs, including two sixes and two boundaries, in 34 balls for Kathmandu.  Shankar Rana made 16-not out, Rashid Khan 14, Gerhard Erasmus 12, Dipesh Kandel undefeated 11 and Michael Levitt 10.

Captain Sandeep Lamichhane took the highest three wickets while Chris Sole, Basir Ahamad and Anil Kharel took two wickets each.

Batting first after losing the toss, Biratnagar had scored 117 runs in 19.5 overs by losing all wickets. Rajesh Pulami scored the highest 25 runs with the help of one six and one four in 21 balls for Biratnagar.

Similarly, Dipak Bohara hit 20 runs, Scott Edwards 15, Bashir Ahamad 13 and Nicholas Kirton 12 while others batters failed to score in double digits.

Towards bowling, Gerhard Erasmus took the highest three wickets, Dipesh Kandel two wickets and captain Karan KC, Shahab Alam and Dan Douthwaite took one wicket each for Kathmandu.

The Biratnagar Kings defeated Chitwan Rhinos by 51 runs in the second match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) held at TU Cricket Ground in Kathmandu today.

The Chitwan Rhinos, chasing the target of 182 runs set by the Biratnagar Kings, scored only 130 runs losing six wickets in 20 overs.

Amar Rautela of Chitwan Rhinos made the highest scores of 42 runs. He hit two sixes and three fours over 29 balls.

Likewise, Santosh Karki of the same team scored 28 runs, team captain Kushal Malla managed 25 runs and Rabi Bopara 20 runs. Other players from the Chitwan Rhinos, however, failed to score double digits.

Chitwan Rhinos' Rijan Dhakal took two wickets. Captain Kushal Malla, players Sohail Tanvir and Basil Hameed each claimed one wicket.

Likewise, Biratnagar Kings' captain stood as a standout bowler in the match fetching two wickets for his team. Other team members- Chris Sole, Basir Ahmad, Subash Bhandari and Lokesh Bom took one wicket each.

The Biratnagar Kings, which had won the toss and opted to bat first, garnered 181 runs losing five wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.

Basir Ahmad emerged top scorer for his team by securing half century for his team.

He made 68 runs off 44 balls which included four sixes and four fours. Likewise, Martin Guptill chipped in 45 runs while Rajesh Pulami contributed 33 runs, Nicholas Kirton 8 runs and Deepak Bohora 4 runs. Victorious Biratnagar Kings made 23 additional runs.