KATHMANDU, Nov 30: Sudurpaschim Royals sealed their playoff spot with two matches still in hand after another commanding win in the Nepal Premier League. Their fifth straight victory came against defending champions Janakpur Bolts, a six-wicket triumph that underlined their steady form this season.
This is Sudurpaschim’s third win over Janakpur in all NPL meetings. They had dominated the league and the first qualifier last season, but froze in the final, finishing without the title. This time, they look determined to settle that score, and beating Janakpur again has pushed them one step closer.
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Janakpur remain winless after four games. The team benched regular skipper Anil Sah and handed the reins to South African all-rounder Wayne Parnell, the first foreign captain in NPL, but the slide continued. Their playoff hopes now hang by a thin mathematical thread. Even three wins from the remaining matches may not be enough.
Sudurpaschim’s win was built on another composed display from their local players. Abinash Bohara who ran through Janakpur with four wickets, lifting him above Sandeep Lamichhane at the top of the tournament’s wicket chart. Janakpur posted 146, but Sudurpaschim chased it down in 17.4 overs. Opener Binod Bhandari and Ishan Pandey steadied the innings after early losses with a 92-run stand. Ishan hit a fluent fifty, Binod made 42, and Harmit Singh finished the chase in style with three towering sixes in one over.
Abinash said he was pleased to contribute and expressed pride in the performance of local players. He added that the team would stay focused on the matches ahead.
Janakpur’s batting once again lacked rhythm despite a fighting fifty from Sanjay Krishnamurti. Early wickets hurt them and the partnership between Sanjay and Loftie-Eaton was the only period where they looked settled. Sudurpaschim’s Scott Kuggeleijn picked three wickets and skipper Dipendra Singh Airee added one.
Lumbini’s playoff hopes alive
Lumbini Lions stayed in contention with a tight three-wicket win over Pokhara Avengers. Chasing 151, captain Rohit Paudel anchored the innings with a decisive 40, earning the player of the match award. Lumbini were wobbling at 22 for 2 but Rohit and Niroshan Dickwella rebuilt with a steady stand. Later Sandip Jora and Gulbadin Naib kept the chase on track.
Pokhara’s bowlers could not maintain pressure in the middle overs. Their batting had earlier been rescued by a 92-run stand between Adam Rossington and Jimmy Neesham after a shaky start. Rossington smashed 81 and Neesham added 51, but the total was still short on a surface that eased up later.
Lumbini coach Subash Khakurel said the team still has a chance if they win their last two games. He noted that opening partnerships need improvement, but added that the side is finding rhythm. He urged fans not to read too much into the owner’s social media frustration, saying results take time even with good investment. He cited examples from franchise cricket to show that strong teams sometimes wait years for titles.
Pokhara’s Jimmy Neesham said this was his last match of the season and admitted the loss was disappointing. He felt 150 was a decent score and believed they had a chance while bowling, but could not finish the job. He added that Pokhara still have something to play for in the remaining matches.
