Kathmandu, December 2
Half-centuries from Anil Shah and Maaz Sadaqat powered defending champions Janakpur Bolts to their first victory in the Siddhartha Bank Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2025, ending a four-match winless run.
Chasing Chitwan Rhinos’ target of 177, Janakpur reached 178 for 4 in 17.3 overs, thanks to the commanding innings from Maaz and Anil.
With this win, Janakpur opened their points account, collecting 2 points from 5 matches and keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. For Chitwan, this was their third loss in five matches; they sit fourth on the table with 4 points.
Pakistani young all-rounder Maaz scored 63 runs. In registering his first NPL half-century, he struck 6 fours and 4 sixes off 30 balls, reaching his fifty in just 24 deliveries.
Anil Shah, who was dropped in the previous match against Sudurpashchim, returned to the playing XI against Chitwan and played a brilliant knock of 61.
After Janakpur suffered defeats in their first three matches under Anil’s captaincy, South African bowler Wayne Parnell was appointed captain for the fourth match, with Anil being dropped. Parnell continued as captain, and Anil batted at No. 3 in the fifth match, scoring 61 off 36 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes.
Maaz Sadaqat and Aasif Sheikh gave Janakpur a strong start with a 45-run opening stand. Aasif was dismissed for 18 off 17 balls in the sixth over.
Maaz then combined with Anil Malla for a match-defining 79-run partnership for the second wicket.
Aditya Mahat added an unbeaten 18 off 7 balls, hitting 2 fours and 1 six.
For Chitwan, Sohail Tanvir, Kamal Singh Airee, and Amar Singh Routela took one wicket each.
Malan and Arjun’s century stand
Earlier, at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur, Chitwan won the toss and opted to bat, posting 176 for 4 in 20 overs, driven by an excellent innings from Dawid Malan.
Opener Malan top-scored with 80, while Arjun Saud added 52. Captain Kushal Malla contributed an unbeaten 30.
Malan and Arjun provided a superb start with a 112-run stand for the first wicket. Chitwan had replaced regular opener Deepak Bohara with Arjun Saud for this match, a move that paid off.
Both openers reached half-centuries, bringing up this season’s fourth century partnership and the second century stand for the first wicket. It was also the highest first-wicket partnership of the season.
Previously, Sudurpashchim’s Binod Bhandari and Josh Brown had shared a 108-run stand for the first wicket against Pokhara Avengers.
Despite the strong start, Chitwan’s next batters fell cheaply at the other end.
Before being dismissed in the 19th over, Malan scored 80 off 54 balls, hitting 4 fours and 5 sixes. Maaz Sadaqat trapped him LBW on the second ball of the 19th over.
Making his first opening appearance of the season, Arjun Saud scored 52 off 39 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes. He was caught by Sanjay Krishnamurthy off Nicol Loftie-Eaton.
Aditya Mahata dropped Arjun’s catch on 52 in the 14th over, but Krishnamurthy caught him on the very next ball.
Saeed Zaib, batting at No. 3, scored 7 off 5 balls before falling in the 15th over, while in-form Ravi Bopara also departed cheaply, making just 3 off 5 balls.
With wickets falling regularly at the other end, Malan too was dismissed in the 19th over.
In the final over, captain Kushal Malla smashed 18 runs with two sixes and a four. He remained unbeaten on 30 off 14 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes.
For Janakpur, Maaz Sadaqat, Anil Shah, Rupesh Singh, and Loftie-Eaton each took one wicket.
