KATHMANDU, Dec 7: Sudurpaschim Royals set a target of 188 runs for Lumbini Lions in the Nepal Premier League (NPL), with a brilliant innings by Saif Zaib.
Sudurpaschim Royals, batting first after losing the toss at the TU International Cricket Ground, scored 187 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
Opener Saif Zaib scored a game-high 90 runs off 61 balls, hitting 6 fours and 5 sixes. On course for a century, Zaib was dismissed on the fourth ball of the 18th over. He shared a 49-run opening partnership with Binod Bhandari and then contributed to two half-century partnerships.
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Zaib and Brandon McMullen shared a 57-run partnership for the second wicket. Similarly, Zaib and captain Dipendra Singh Airee put together a 53-run stand for the third wicket. McMullen scored 23 runs off 20 balls, while Binod Bhandari added 17 runs off 13 balls. Arif Sheikh was dismissed without scoring.
Captain Dipendra remained unbeaten on 39 runs off 19 balls, hitting 4 fours and 2 sixes. Scott Kuggeleijn was also unbeaten with 11 runs.
In bowling for Lumbini, Ramon Simmonds took 2 wickets, conceding 32 runs in 4 overs. Captain Rohit Paudel and Bibek Yadav claimed 1 wicket each.
This is the second-highest score made while batting first. Earlier, Lumbini Lions had scored 191 runs against Biratnagar Kings while batting first. However, Biratnagar successfully chased that target.
