KATHMANDU: In the opening match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), Biratnagar Kings have set a target of 128 runs for Janakpur Bolts to chase.
After winning the toss and electing to field at the Tribhuvan University (TU) Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Biratnagar, who batted first, scored 127 runs in 19 overs before being bowled out.
Martin Guptill was the top scorer for Biratnagar, making 55 runs off 43 balls.
He hit 7 fours and 1 six. Guptill was caught by Anil Shah off Harsh Thackeray in the final ball of the 14th over. He reached his half-century with a six off Ben Mike in the first ball of the 13th over.
Biratnagar lost their first wicket in the second over after scoring just 6 runs.
Opener Lokesh Bam was bowled out by Lalit Rajbanshi for 5 runs. Rajbanshi struck on the very first ball of the over, sending Bam back to the pavilion.
In the ninth over, Aqib Ilyas was dismissed for 15 runs after being caught LBW by Janakpur’s Mohammad Mohsin.
In the 12th over, Nicholas Kirtan was bowled by Harsh Thackeray for 9 runs. Bashir Ahmed and Sandeep Lamichhane were both dismissed for 7 runs each, while Rajesh Pulami made just 1 run.
Pratish GC was bowled out for 2 runs, and Jitendra Mukhiya was dismissed for a duck.
Kishore Mahato took two key wickets, dismissing Sandeep Lamichhane on the third ball of the 18th over and Jitendra Mukhiya on the fourth ball.
For Janakpur, Lalit Rajbanshi was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets. Harsh Thackeray and Kishore Mahato claimed 2 wickets each, while Mohammad Mohsin and Wayne Mike each took one wicket.
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