Sudur Paschim Royals stunned as Janakpur Bolts clinch historic NPL title

Kathmandu, December 21 — Janakpur Bolts stunned Sudur Paschim Royals in the final of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) to claim the title. Despite having defeated Janakpur twice earlier in the tournament, Sudur Paschim Royals were defeated by 5 wickets in the final.

Janakpur chased down a target of 185 runs in 19.2 overs, losing 5 wickets. Lahiru Milantha was the star of the match, scoring 87 runs off 49 balls, including 9 fours and 4 sixes. This was his second half-century in the tournament.

Janakpur made a explosive start to the chase, with Aasif Sheikh and Lahiru Milantha forming a half-century partnership. They added 73 runs in just 7 overs.

Sheikh contributed 33 runs from 19 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes, before being caught out off Saif Zaib's delivery.

Mohammad Mohsin was dismissed for 9 runs shortly after. James Neesham also fell for 4 runs. However, Harsh Thaker contributed 30 runs and guided the team to victory.

Along with the title, Janakpur won NPR 11 million. Sudur Paschim Royals, on the other hand, settled for NPR 5.1 million.

Earlier, Sudur Paschim Royals won the toss and opted to bat first at the Tribhuvan University Ground in Kirtipur. They scored 184 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Openers Binod Bhandari and Saif Zaib gave Sudur Paschim a strong start, forming a century partnership for the first wicket, putting on 117 runs.

Bhandari scored 41 runs, hitting 1 four and 3 sixes off 31 balls. Zaib played a brilliant knock of 69 runs off 41 balls, hitting 8 fours and 2 sixes. He was also given a life when he was on 64.

Sudur Paschim lost their third wicket when Harmeet Singh was dismissed for 14 runs off 8 balls.

Brandon McMullen followed soon after, scoring 14 runs from 12 balls. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee contributed only 9 runs before being dismissed. The lower order collapsed as Naresh Budayair made 8 runs and Ishan Pandey scored 6 runs.

For Janakpur, Mohammad Mohsin took 3 wickets in 4 overs, conceding 40 runs.

Kishor Mahto also picked up 3 wickets in his 4 overs.

Lalit Rajbanshi, once again, bowled economically, taking 1 wicket for just 15 runs in 4 overs, including a maiden over.

He was the tournament's highest wicket-taker, with 17 wickets in 10 matches. James Neesham also picked up 1 wicket in the match.