Kathmandu, November 1
Janakpur Bolts secured their second victory in the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), defeating Pokhara Avengers by nine runs on Sunday.
Pokhara, meanwhile, suffered their second consecutive defeat.
Chasing a target of 148, Pokhara managed 138 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Captain Kushal Bhurtel was Pokhara’s top scorer with 35 off 24 balls, including five fours, but his effort was not enough to secure victory.
Opener Dinesh Kharel scored three, Maheesh Theekshana eight, Shakib Al Hasan nine, Arjun Gharti seven, Kiran Thagunna 15 and Chamika Karunaratne four. Bipin Acharya contributed 20, while Mohammad Saifuddin was dismissed without scoring. Bipin Khatri remained unbeaten on 17 and Pratik Pokharel on two.
Janakpur’s spinners led the bowling attack. Moeen Ali claimed three wickets, while captain Harmeet Singh and Saif Hassan took two each. Jimmy Neesham and Lalit Rajbanshi picked up one wicket apiece.
Earlier, batting first after losing the toss at the TU Cricket Ground, Janakpur posted 147 for seven in 20 overs.
Opener Trit Raj Das top-scored with 61 off 55 balls, hitting seven fours and a six. He shared a 47-run opening stand with Moeen Ali, who scored 21 off 16 deliveries.
Abhishek Tiwari provided a late flourish, remaining unbeaten on 24 off just 10 balls.
Saif Hassan scored one, captain Harmeet Singh nine, Jimmy Neesham 11, while Amar Singh Routela and Anil Kumar Sah were dismissed for nine runs each.
All of Pokhara’s wickets were taken by overseas players. Shakib Al Hasan was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, conceding 15 runs in four overs. Chamika Karunaratne took two wickets, while Maheedi Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin claimed one each.
