Sudurpaschim vs Janakpur: Redemption or repeat?

In a match filled with twists, tension, and towering sixes, Janakpur Bolts clinched a thrilling two-wicket victory over Karnali Yaks in Qualifier 2 of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. With this win, Janakpur stormed into the final, setting up an eagerly anticipated clash against Sudurpaschim Royals on Saturday afternoon.

The final will be the third encounter between Sudurpaschim and Janakpur in this NPL. In the two previous matches, the Royals easily outclassed the Bolts.

Although Janakpur had lost to Sudurpaschim in Qualifier 1, Janakpur captain Aasif Sheikh looked ahead with optimism in the post-match conference. “I believe we’ll win Qualifier 2 and meet Sudurpaschim again in the final,” he declared confidently.

With Sheikh’s words coming true, the cricket fans eagerly await the epic clash between these two titans of this year’s NPL. Can Janakpur defy the odds, or will Sudurpaschim continue their dominance? The final promises to be a showdown for the history books.

Karnali Yaks, opting to bat first, found themselves struggling on a tricky pitch. Openers Dev Khanal (24 off 20) and Gulsan Jha (25 off 20) provided a glimmer of hope, but frequent wickets kept the scoring rate in check. Late cameos from William Bosisto (14) and Chadwick Walton (11) couldn’t prevent Karnali from posting a below-par total of 118/9 in 20 overs.

Janakpur’s bowlers were clinical. Lalit Rajbanshi delivered a stellar spell of 2/22, while Mohammad Mohsin was economical with figures of 2/14. Adding to the carnage, Jimmy Neesham bagged two wickets at crucial junctures, cementing his reputation as a match-winner.

But the chase was nothing but a thriller. Karnali’s fiery bowling attack had Janakpur on the ropes early, with the scoreboard reading a precarious 9/3 in just the third over. Karnali’s Sompal Kami and Bipin Sharma tore through the top order, sending Sheikh (4) and Lahiru Milantha (2) back to the pavilion.

Enter Neesham—the man for the big moments. With the game slipping away, Neesham unleashed a breathtaking counterattack, hammering 45 runs off just 17 balls. His innings, laced with five monstrous sixes and two fours, turned the tide in Janakpur’s favor, stunning Karnali’s bowlers and igniting the crowd.

Neesham’s dismissal swung the momentum back to Karnali. Middle-order contributions from Harsh Thaker (17 off 26) and Mayan Yadav (14 off 18) kept Janakpur afloat, but it was not enough with only a few wickets in hand. As the game hung in the balance, Sher Malla’s calm 16 off 10 balls, featuring a decisive six, sealed the deal with an over to spare.

For his all-round brilliance, Neesham was rightly named Player of the Match. When other batters struggled, New Zealand’s batting all-rounder has been saving Janakpur since he started playing. In Thursday’s match, he was bowled out by Karnali’s 16-year-old bowler Bipin Sharma.

After taking Janakpur to the final, Neesham stated that they deserved to be there. He also mentioned that the final is still to come and Janakpur has a chance to win the trophy. He pointed out that it was challenging to bat on the pitch at Kirtipur. “It’s a tough pitch. It’s hard to stay in. Extra power is needed. The pitch keeps changing. It’s tough in the morning, but it’s a little different in the afternoon,” he said.

Neesham also shared that Karnali’s Sharma had told him at the hotel that he would take his wicket. He also shared that he was having a great time in Nepal. “The hospitality is very good. I’m enjoying the game,” he said.

Sudurpaschim dominated the league stage, winning six out of seven matches, with their only loss coming against the Chitwan Rhinos. Janakpur Bolts, on the other hand, finished in second place, securing five wins out of seven matches but falling short against both Chitwan and Sudurpaschim.

After clinching Qualifier 1 against Janakpur, Sudurpaschim Royals’ wicketkeeper-batsman Binod Bhandari heaped praise on captain Dipendra Singh Airee’s leadership and performance. “Dipendra is currently the best player in Nepal. His batting, bowling, and fielding are exceptional,” said Bhandari. Highlighting Airee’s extensive experience, he added, “He has captained teams like Nepal Police Club, and now with the introduction of the NPL, his leadership has further matured.”

Bhandari also reflected on the team’s transformation. While the squad initially seemed a bit underwhelming before the tournament, he credited the inclusion of foreign players for balancing the team dynamics. “The foreign players fit perfectly into the team’s strategy, and with them on board, we are capable of winning the NPL,” he confidently stated.

The stage is now set for a blockbuster final. Sudurpaschim Royals, unbeaten against Janakpur this season, enter as favorites, having already defeated them twice, including a dominant league-stage victory. If Janakpur can break the Royals’ streak, it would be a redemption arc for the ages.