Janakpur maintains unbeaten run

Pokhara Avengers suffered another setback in the Nepal Premier League (NPL), losing by seven wickets to Janakpur Bolts on Thursday at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. This was their second consecutive loss in the ongoing season, having previously fallen to Chitwan Rhinos by 87 runs. Despite batting first after losing the toss, Pokhara could only manage 138 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The team struggled with both the bat and the ball, failing to execute their game plan effectively.

Captain Kushal Bhurtel acknowledged the team’s underperformance, admitting that they were about 20-25 runs short of a competitive total. He pointed out that the team’s original strategy of building partnerships in the middle overs and accelerating in the later stages didn’t materialize, as they faltered in crucial moments. “It would have been better if we had managed at least 15 more runs in the last over,” Bhurtel said, referring to their struggles in the final stages of their innings. Pokhara’s batting line-up was punctuated by several key failures, with the top order, including Dinesh Kharel, Andries Gous, and Kushal Bhurtel himself, all falling cheaply. The middle order did little to stabilize the innings, and only Michael Leask (25 off 13 balls) offered some resistance.

The team also missed the services of Dutch all-rounder Bas de Liede, who was sidelined due to an injury. Bhurtel, who had opened in the previous match, was moved to the number three spot in this match. Despite the loss, Bhurtel expressed confidence that the team could still reach the playoffs if they win at least four of their remaining five matches. 

Meanwhile, Janakpur Bolts continued their impressive form, maintaining an undefeated record in the tournament with three wins out of three matches. They comfortably chased down Pokhara’s target of 139 runs in 17.1 overs. Janakpur’s chase was anchored by the explosive Jimmy Neesham, who played a crucial role with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 40 off just 20 balls. His quickfire knock helped the Bolts reach the target with ease, despite early setbacks. Aasif Sheikh (33 off 34 balls) and Lahiru Milantha (45 off 32 balls) also made valuable contributions, while the Bolts’ top order built partnerships to stay ahead of the required run rate.

The standout performer for Janakpur was Neesham, who was named Player of the Match for his brilliant all-round performance. Neesham’s rapid knock with the bat and his contribution to the chase earned him the accolade. 

Lalit Rajbanshi, another standout performer for Janakpur, was instrumental with the ball, taking three crucial wickets, including the dismissals of Pokhara’s key batsmen. He has been in outstanding form this season, having taken seven wickets across three matches, and his performance against Pokhara added to his growing reputation as one of the tournament’s top bowlers. Rajbanshi credited his success to preparation and discipline, saying that he had been mentally ready for his role in the powerplay overs. “I bowl by giving my 100 percent in the role given by the coach and captain,” Rajbanshi said after the match. He also expressed optimism about continuing the team’s strong performances throughout the tournament, with aspirations to be the highest wicket-taker of the season.

In the second match on Thursday, Sudurpaschim Royals emerged victorious by 73 runs against Kathmandu Gurkhas.

Batting first after winning the toss, Sudurpaschim posted a challenging total of 167/6 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was anchored by the explosive Brandon McMullen, who top-scored with 53 off 36 balls, including three fours and four sixes, maintaining an impressive strike rate of 147.22. McMullen’s partnership with Binod Bhandari (35 off 28 balls, two fours, two sixes) was key, as they added 50 runs off just 35 balls during the powerplay. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee also contributed with a quickfire 43 runs off 25 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, helping the team build momentum. 

Kathmandu Gurkhas, in response, quickly crumbled under the pressure of Sudurpaschim’s disciplined bowling. Naren Saud, who had just returned from the ACC U19 Asia Cup the previous day, played a pivotal role in dismantling the Kathmandu lineup. Saud claimed remarkable figures of 5/19, becoming only the second bowler to take a five-wicket haul in the ongoing NPL, following Pakistani pacer Sohail Tanvir’s feat. He dismissed key players, starting with the dangerous Stephen Eskinazi, who top-scored for Kathmandu with 37 runs. Saud then took the wickets of Gerhard Erasmus (10) and Rashid Khan (2), both caught by Rohan Mustafa. His spell was further highlighted by two wickets in the 16th over, where he removed Karan KC and Shahab Alam for just one run each, reducing Kathmandu to a meager 94 all out in just 15.5 overs.

In an emotional moment after the match, Saud expressed his gratitude to Sudurpaschim’s captain Airee and coach Jagat Tamata, whose encouragement inspired him to perform. Saud mentioned that he had planned to take the Player of the Match award even before the game began, and his determination led him to claim the crucial wickets that sealed the win for Sudurpaschim. His favorite wicket of the match was that of Erasmus, who had just hit a six before being dismissed LBW by Saud.

This victory marked Sudurpaschim Royals’ second consecutive win in the NPL.

The NPL continues to thrill cricket fans with two exciting matches scheduled for Friday. The 10th match of the tournament will see Karnali Yaks take on Chitwan Rhinos at 9:15 am. Later in the day, at 1:15 pm, the Lumbini Lions will face off against the Pokhara Avengers in the 11th match.