KATHMANDU, Dec 20: Sudurpaschim Royals skipper Dipendra Singh Airee has said that his team would not take their last opponent, Janakpur Bolts, lightly in the final match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Saturday.
The three-week long maiden edition of the NPL will conclude with the final between Sudurpaschim Royals and Janakpur Bolts at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
Skipper Airee, speaking during a pre-match press conference on the eve of the final, stated that he will not underestimate Janakpur Bolts.
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“We had defeated the Janakpur Bolts twice previously. However, we should take them seriously in the final. Janakpur Bolts are powerful. We will approach the final with the same spirit that we brought to the field against Janakpur Bolts throughout the league and qualifications. We will give our best without feeling the strain of the last match.”
Janakpur Bolts skipper Ashif Sheikh stated that his team would ignore past performance and pull themselves together to put up a good fight and win the final. However, Janakpur Bolts would not play the final as a grudge match, he added.
“There is no sense of vengeance. We want to play quality cricket. Even after losing the previous two matches, we are not worried,” Sheikh said, adding, “We were unable to bat properly in the prior two games against Sudurpaschim Royals. We have both veteran and young batters. We will strengthen our batting in the final.”
Janakpur Bolts lost to Sudurpaschim Royals by 72 runs in the league stage match. Sudurpaschim Royals set a moderate target of 123 runs, and Janakpur Bolts were all out for 51 runs. Sudurpaschim Royals qualified for the playoffs by remaining at the top of the points table, and they also won easily in the first qualifier against second-placed Janakpur Bolts.
Sudurpaschim Royals achieved the 140-run target set by Janakpur Bolts in 18.3 overs, losing two wickets. Thus, Sudurpaschim Royals, who easily won the past two matches against Janakpur Bolts, are the strong favorites to claim the crown on Saturday.
