Janakpur Bolts defeat Sudurpaschim Royals by 5 wickets; clinch first Nepal Premier League title

KATHMANDU: Janakpur Bolts secured the title of the first season of Nepal Premier League (NPL) T20 Cricket Tournament in a final held today at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Janakpur Bolts triumphed over Sudurpaschim Royals by five wickets.

Chasing a target of 185 runs set by the Sudurpaschim Royals, Janakpur Bolts achieved victory in 19.2 overs with five wickets down. Lahiru Milantha starred with a blistering 87 runs off 49 balls, featuring four sixes and nine fours. Aasif Sheikh provided solid support with 33 runs off 19 balls, including four fours and two sixes. Contributions also came from Harsh Thaker (30 runs off 24 balls with two sixes), Mohammad Mohsin (nine runs), James Neesham (four runs), and both Aakash Tripathi and Mayan Yadav (two runs each).

In the bowling department, Saif Zaib, Ishan Pandey, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Scott Kuggeleijn each took a wicket for the Royals.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Sudurpaschim Royals posted a total of 184 runs in their allotted 20 overs, losing nine wickets. Saif Zaib top-scored with 69 runs off 43 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. Binod Bhandari added 41 runs off 31 balls, with one four and three sixes. Brandon McMullen and Harmeet Singh both chipped in with 14 runs each, while Scott Kuggeleijn managed 13 runs. Other batsmen failed to reach double figures.

For Janakpur Bolts, Kishore Mahato and Mohammad Mohsin took three wickets apiece, while James Neesham and Lalit Rajbanshi claimed one wicket each.

President Paudel congratulates NPL title winner

President Ramchandra Paudel has extended his congratulations to Janakpur Bolts, the first edition of Nepal Premier League (NPL) title winner. In addition, the Head of State wished all participating teams the best of luck and expressed confidence that they would further enhance their performance in future editions.

NPL title winner Janakpur Bolts receive Rs 11 million

The Janakpur Bolts, the champions of NPL T20 Cricket Tournament, have been awarded Rs 11 million in cash and a trophy. 

At the prize distribution ceremony after the final match, former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, former Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) President Chatur Bahadur Chand jointly handed over the bank cheque to the Janakpur Bolts' captain, Aasif Sheikh, and cricketer, Anil Shah.

Meanwhile, Minister for Youth and Sports, Tejulal Chaudhary, presented Rs 5.1 million to the first runners-up, the Sudurpaschim Royals. The second runners-up, Karnali Yaks, received Rs 2.5 million, while the fourth finisher team, Chitwan Rhinos, was awarded Rs 1.5 million. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and Chief Minister of Madhes Province Satish Kumar Singh handed over the bank cheques to the Karnali Yaks and Chitwan Rhinos.

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