Biratnagar Kings went to the top of the Nepal Premier League standings on Monday, November 24, edging defending champions Janakpur Bolts by nine runs in a tense finish at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground.
Defending a modest 135, skipper Sandeep Lamichhane delivered a match-winning spell of 4 for 11 with an economy of 2.75 from his four overs, guiding his team to their third consecutive victory.
Janakpur were restricted to 126 for 9 in their 20 overs. At one stage, the chase looked firmly in their control, with the Bolts needing just 25 off 17 balls with five wickets in hand. But Lamichhane dramatically shifted the momentum, dismissing Rupesh Singh and Sangeeth Cooray off consecutive deliveries, leaving Janakpur’s lower order exposed.
Even then, the Bolts stayed in the contest as Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton remained at the crease heading into the final over with 17 required. His run-out, however, shattered Janakpur’s hopes.
Loftie-Eaton top-scored with 41 off 30, while opener Lahiru Milantha added 23 off 22, Sanjay Krishnamurthi chipped in with 20 off 12, and opener Aasif Sheikh made 13 off 11. No other batter reached double figures.
Surya Tamang claimed two wickets for Biratnagar, while Shubham Ranjane and Marchant de Lange took one each.
The defeat — Janakpur’s second in a row — leaves the defending champions second from the bottom of the table.
Earlier, after being sent in to bat, Biratnagar posted 135 for 7 in their 20 overs. Shubham Ranjane contributed the highest, 37 off 29, supported by Bashir Ahmad (36), Lokesh Bam (28), Martin Guptill (13), and George Munsey (10).
For Janakpur, Rupesh Singh and Sangeeth Kure picked up two wickets each, while Aditya Mahata added one.
Sudurpaschim Yaks, second on the table, are batting first against Karnali Yaks (6th) in the second match of the day at the same venue.
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