Janakpur Bolts won the toss, opt to field first against Biratnagar Kings

KATHMANDU: Janakpur Bolts, the defending champions of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), have chosen to field first in Monday’s match against Biratnagar Kings at the Tribhuvan University Cricket International Ground in Kirtipur.

Captain Anil Sah won the toss and sent Biratnagar Kings in to bat.

Janakpur Bolts:

Biratnagar Kings have made a strong start to the tournament, winning their first two matches against Pokhara Avengers and Kathmandu Gorkhas.

Janakpur Bolts, meanwhile, suffered a shock defeat in their opening game against Gorkhaj.

Janakpur Bolts have made two changes to their playing XI, with Aditya Mehta replacing Bikash Agri and Sangith Kore coming in for Lahiru Samarakoon.

Biratnagar Kings have retained the same team that played their previous matches.

Biratnagar Kings:

Last year, Janakpur Bolts began their title campaign with a convincing eight-wicket win over Biratnagar Kings in the opening game.

Despite a half-century from Martin Guptill, Biratnagar Kings were bowled out for 127 in 19 overs, while Lahiru Milantha’s 75 off 53 balls guided Janakpur Bolts to a 131-run chase in just 15.3 overs.

Janakpur Bolts’s campaign this season was impacted by the absence of star all-rounder Jimmy Neesham from Pokhara Avengers, who missed out due to not securing a Test quota, contributing to their underwhelming performance in the first match.