KATHMANDU, Dec 19: Karnali Yaks and Janakpur Bolts will face off in the second qualifier of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) that takes place today at the Kirtipur Cricket Ground. The winner of this match will secure a spot in the final.
The winner of the Yaks-Bolts qualifier will play against Sudurpaschim Royals in the NPL final.
The Yaks defeated Chitwan Rhinos by 21 runs in the elimination round while Sudurpaschim Royals defeated Janakpur Bolts in Wednesday’s first qualifier by eight wickets.
Why was the train from Janakpur to Ayodhya canceled?
According to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the winner of the NPL will win Rs. 11 million in cash prize, while the runner-up will walk away with Rs. 5.1 million. The team finishing third, or the team that loses the second qualifier, will bag Rs. 2.5 million, and the team finishing fourth (Chitwan Rhinos) will receive Rs. 1.5 million.
Given their performance in Wednesday’s eliminator round, the Yaks appear to be favourites to win the qualifier against Janakpur. Karnali’s overseas players- Jayakrishna Kolsawala and Will Basisto scored half centuries and Chadwick Walton hit a quick-fire 48 against Chitwan, leading to a 175/6 total. In response, the Chitwan Rhinos’ chase of the Yaks’ total fell short, resulting in a score of 154/9. The Yaks first surpassed 150 runs this tournament.
Earlier in their seven matches in the league, they had failed to cross the 145-run mark. The Yaks bowlers maintained their pressure on the Rhinos’ batsmen. Captain Sompal Kami scalped two vital wickets during the powerplay, Maqsood claimed three, Bipin took one, and Nandan Yadav, who took two wickets during the death overs, also bowled magnificently against the Rhinos.
Former England cricketer Ravi Bopara scored 53 runs, but the Rhinos still lost to the Yaks. Following the eliminator match, Bopara became the first player in the NPL to score three half centuries becoming the highest run-scorer with 286 runs of the tournament. He surpassed Lumbini Lions captain Rohit Paudel’s a total of 279 runs
To reach the final against Sudurpaschim, Janakpur needs a better showing against Karnali. However, given their performance against the title favourite in the first qualifier, they will have a tough time against the Yaks.
Because of a hand fracture, Janakpur’s captain, Anil Kumar Sah has been ruled out. In the absence of Sah, Ashif Sheikh must lead the team against the Yaks from the front and play a captain’s knock; Lahiru Milantha, Harsha Thaker, and others need to put up strong batting performances. Only Jimmy Neesham has played up to his reputation as an aggressive batsman, who can help Janakpur do some wonders today.
Having said all, it is also true that both teams have a chance of winning the second qualifier. Because T20 cricket is so unpredictable, it’s anyone’s guess which team will produce a stunning upset.
