Kathmandu, November 5
Defending champions Lumbini Lions continued their dominant start to the Nepal Premier League (NPL), beating inaugural champions Janakpur Bolts by 16 runs on Thursday to maintain their unbeaten record this season.
Chasing a target of 150, Janakpur managed 133-8 in their 20 overs at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, falling short despite a late fightback from captain Harmeet Singh and Aditya Mahata.
The victory gives Lumbini seven points from four matches, with three wins and one no-result after their match against Chitwan Rhinos was abandoned due to rain. They remain at the top of the standings and have strengthened their chances of reaching the playoffs.
For Janakpur, who have played five matches, this was their third defeat. They now need to win both of their remaining games to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Lumbini’s bowlers played a crucial role in defending the modest total. D’Arcy Short was the pick of the attack, taking three wickets for 23 runs in his four overs. Tilak Bhandari claimed two wickets, while Ruben Trumpelmann and Sher Malla took one each.
Janakpur were in trouble early, losing five wickets for just 65 runs. Harmeet, batting at number eight, and Aditya attempted to revive the innings with a 43-run partnership for the eighth wicket.
Harmeet scored 33 off 20 balls, including three sixes, while Aditya remained unbeaten on 30 from 23 deliveries, hitting four boundaries. However, Harmeet’s dismissal in the fourth ball of the 18th over ended their partnership and effectively ended Janakpur’s hopes of a comeback.
Bangladesh’s Saif Hassan contributed 28 off 25 balls with four boundaries, while opener Treet Raj Das scored 18 from 18 deliveries.
Parvez Hossain Emon (1), Bishal Sushling (4), Anil Shah (1) and Jimmy Neesham (9) failed to make significant contributions. Abhishek Tiwari was dismissed without scoring.
Earlier, Lumbini posted 149-8 after being put in to bat.
Captain Rohit Paudel led the scoring with 38 off 31 balls, hitting four fours and a six. Niroshan Dickwella added 27 from 27 deliveries, including two fours and a six.
Asif Sheikh and Dilip Nath contributed 21 runs each, while Shamin Hossain scored 13. Opener D’Arcy Short was dismissed off the first ball of the innings.
Trumpelmann provided a late boost with 15 off just eight balls, hitting two sixes, while Sandeep Jora added nine.
Janakpur relied heavily on spin, bowling 17 overs of spin and claiming four wickets through their spinners. Their pace bowlers took three wickets, with Abhishek Tiwari and Rahul Yadav among the wicket-takers. Bishal Sushling and Rahul claimed two wickets each, while Harmeet, Lalit Rajbanshi and Abhishek took one apiece.
Lumbini’s disciplined bowling ensured that their total was enough to secure another victory and maintain their strong start to the title defence.
