KATHMANDU, Dec 2: Janakpur Bolts have launched their streak of victory by defeating Karnali Yaks today after their win against Biratnagar Kings in the opening match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL).
Janakpur Bolts defeated the foreign star-studded Karnali Yaks by 8 wickets on Monday. They had won their first match against the Biratnagar Kings in the opening match on November 30. For the Yaks, however, this was their first game.
At the Tribhuvan University Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur, Janakpur successfully chased down the target of 142 runs set by Karnali in 15.1 overs after losing only 2 wickets. Captain Anil Sah played an unbeaten knock of 62 runs, which is the first half-century of the ongoing NPL. Facing 42 balls, he smashed 3 sixes and 6 fours.
Janakpur Bolts beat Biratnagar Kings by 8 wickets in NPL opener
Asif Sheikh was caught out by Dev Khanal off the bowling of Mausam Dhakal for 36 runs. Anil and Asif had put on an 84-run partnership for the first wicket, laying the foundation for the victory. Lahiru Milantha scored 24 runs before being trapped LBW by Zeeshan Maksud. James Neesham remained not-out on 16 runs.
Earlier, Karnali Yaks won the toss and opted to bat first, scoring 141 runs in the allotted overs, losing 7 wickets.
For Karnali Yaks, Gulshan Jha scored 36, Arjun Gharti made 33, and Sompal Kami remained not out at 29 runs. In the final two overs, Sompal and Arjun added 43 runs, helping Karnali Yaks reach a total of 141 runs. The pair also formed a 56-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Shekhar Dhawan scored 14, Chadwick Walton made 8, Babar Hayat scored 12, and Zeeshan Maksud was dismissed for a duck. Babar managed to build a 33-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Gulshan Jha.
For Janakpur Bolts, Mohammad Mohsin took 2 wickets, while Lalit Rajbanshi, Kishor Mahato, Harsha Thakkar, and James Neesham each took 1 wicket. One player from Karnali Yaks was run out.
In the first match on Monday, Chitwan Rhinos defeated Kathmandu Gurkhas by 5 wickets.
