Biratnagar Kings end Sudurpashchim Royals’ unbeaten run (photos)

KATHMANDU: Biratnagar Kings handed Sudurpashchim Royals a comprehensive 6-wicket defeat in their final group-stage match of the second season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Saturday.

Batting first, Sudurpashchim set a target of 148 runs in their allotted 20 overs but managed only 147 for the loss of six wickets.

Aarif Sheikh top-scored with a blistering 45 runs off 32 balls, including three sixes and a four, while Ishan Pandey contributed 38 off 35 balls with two sixes and two fours.

Josh Brown added 24 runs off 25 balls. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee scored a quick 19 off 11 balls with two sixes, and wicketkeeper Binod Bhandari made 15 off 12 balls, including three fours.

In response, Biratnagar batted aggressively from the start. Openers Samuel Heazlett and Faf du Plessis each struck half-centuries, with Heazlett scoring 51 off 21 balls and Du Plessis smashing 50 off just 20 balls.

Martin Guptill added 22 runs off 9 balls before being run out, while Basir Ahamad contributed 8 off 9. Lokesh Bam remained unbeaten on 3 off 4 balls, and Pratish GC hit 13 off 3 balls with two sixes.

In bowling, Biratnagar’s captain Sandeep Lamichhane claimed 3 wickets for 20 runs in 4 overs, Pratish GC took 2 wickets for 4 runs in one over, and Basir Ahamad picked up 1 wicket for 27 runs in 4 overs.

For Sudurpashchim, Avinash Bohara took 2 wickets for 38 runs in 2.5 overs, and Harmit Singh claimed 1 for 27 in 3 overs.

Captain Airee went wicketless in 2 overs for 38 runs, while Hikmat Mahara and Dhruv Parashar also bowled economically.

With this win, Biratnagar secured the second spot in the group stage and advanced to the playoffs with 10 points from 7 matches.

Sudurpashchim topped the table with 12 points, while Kathmandu Gorkhas (10 points) and Lumbini Lions (8 points) also qualified for the playoffs.

Sudurpashchim’s unbeaten streak in the league came to an end with this defeat.

The first qualifier will see Sudurpashchim Royals face Biratnagar Kings on Tuesday, with the winner progressing directly to the final on Saturday.

The losing side will play the second qualifier. In the eliminator match on Wednesday, Kathmandu Gorkhas will take on Lumbini Lions, with the winner advancing to the second qualifier and the loser exiting the tournament.

Biratnagar Kings:

Sudurpaschim Royals:

Photos:

Below are photos from the opening match played by Sudurpaschim Royals.