Biratnagar Kings break losing streak with 2-wicket victory over Lumbini

KATHMANDU: Biratnagar Kings claimed their first victory in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Wednesday, defeating Lumbini in the second match of the day.

Lumbini set a challenging target of 192 runs, but Biratnagar achieved it in 19.5 overs, losing 8 wickets.

Lokesh Bam was the top scorer for Biratnagar, contributing 71 runs off 47 balls, including 3 fours and 6 sixes.

He and Martin Guptill formed a key partnership, adding 62 runs for the second wicket.

Guptill made 28 runs off 17 balls, hitting 6 fours before being bowled out by Durgesh Gupta.

In the first over, Biratnagar’s opener Ismat Alam was dismissed without scoring, caught off Ramones Simonds’ delivery.

Basir Ahmed contributed 40 runs off 23 balls with a four and a six, before being caught off Ben Cutting’s ball, following a missed catch opportunity earlier in the 15th over. Rajesh Pulami made 4 runs off 10 balls and was dismissed after being caught and bowled by Sadh Vin Jaffer.

Nicholas Kirton was bowled out on the first ball he faced from Durgesh, and Pratis Jishi made 6 runs before being bowled out by Gupta. Chris Sol remained not out on 14 from 4 balls.

For Lumbini, Durgesh Gupta took 3 wickets, while Sadh Vin Jaffer and Ramon Simonds took 2 wickets each, and Vivek Yadav claimed 1.

Earlier, Lumbini, batting first after losing the toss, posted a solid total of 191/7 in their 20 overs. Captain Rohit Poudel was their top scorer with 46 runs from 29 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes, before being caught at the boundary by Pratis GC off Rajesh Pulami’s delivery.

Tom Mores contributed 30 runs from 17 balls, with 3 fours and 3 sixes, before being run out.

Aashutosh Ghiraiya scored 15 runs off 13 balls, while Arjun Saud added 17 runs from 19 balls before being bowled by Ismat Alam.

Sundeep Jora contributed 12 runs from 13 balls, and Sadh Vin Jaffer made 15 runs from 13 balls, getting caught by Martin Guptill off Sundeep Lamichhane’s delivery. Ben Cutting was run out after being dismissed by Sandeep Lamichhane and Ismat Alam.

Vivek Yadav ended not out on 19 runs from 7 balls, hitting 3 sixes.

Viratnagar’s bowlers had a successful outing with Ismat Alam, captain Sandeep Lamichhane, and Rajesh Pulami taking 1 wicket each. They also ran out 4 of Lumbini’s players during their innings.

In the earlier game of the day, Kathmandu Gurkhas defeated Karnali Yaks by 3 wickets, securing their first win in the tournament, while Karnali faced their second consecutive loss.

The NPL will continue on Thursday with two matches.

The first will feature Pokhara Avengers against Janakpur Bolts, followed by a second match between Kathmandu Gurkhas and Sudurpashchim Royals.