Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal Premier League (NPL) matches will resume on Tuesday after a much-needed break on Monday. Over eight match days, NPL teams played 15 matches, with some teams playing on successive days.
As the NPL reaches its midway point, six of the eight participating teams have already played four matches, while two — Pokhara Avengers and Kathmandu Gurkhas — have played three each. Janakpur Bolts sits at the top of the NPL table with four wins from as many games. With three matches left, the Madhesh Province-based side is almost certain to qualify for the playoffs.
Sudurpashchim Royals and Chitwan Rhinos are on six points each, while Karnali Yaks have four. Three teams — Pokhara Avengers, Kathmandu Gurkhas, and Biratnagar Kings — have two points each, while Lumbini Lions have yet to open their account. Only mathematical chances remain for the Lumbini Province-based side to qualify for the playoffs.
The top two teams qualify for the Qualifier, while the third- and fourth-placed teams play in the Eliminator, with the winning side facing the defeated side of the Qualifier.
Here are some notable stats from the NPL so far:
Highest Run Scorer – Rohit Paudel
Rohit Paudel has been the only standout performer for his side, Lumbini Lions, who sit at the bottom of the table. He has scored 181 runs in four innings with an average of 45.25. Following him are Lahiru Milantha of Janakpur Bolts with 168 runs and Ravi Bopara of Chitwan Rhinos with 157 runs.
Highest Wicket Taker – Sohail Tanvir
The Chitwan Rhinos bowler has claimed nine wickets in four innings with an average of 7.44. He has been the standout performer with the ball. Closely following him are Lalit Rajbanshi and Harsh Thaker, both from Janakpur Bolts, with eight wickets each at averages of 11 and 13, respectively.
Best Strike Rate – Dipendra Singh Airee
The Sudurpashchim Royals captain is leading from the front with a strike rate of 200 and an average of 70. Next on the list are James Neesham of Janakpur Bolts and Andries Gous of Pokhara Avengers with strike rates of 190 and 174.64, respectively.
Best Bowling Economy – Mohammad Mohsin
Mohammad Mohsin of Janakpur Bolts has the best economy rate among NPL bowlers at 4.31, with an average of 17.25. Sohail Tanvir follows him with an economy of 4.67 and an impressive average of 7.44, and Lalit Rajbanshi with an economy of 5.5.
Highest Score – Andries Gous
The Pokhara Avengers opener played an unbeaten knock of 104 from just 55 balls against Lumbini Lions. This remains the highest score in the NPL so far. Next on the list are Rohit Paudel and SA Zaib, with scores of 95 and 90, respectively. Interestingly, both Andries’ and Rohit’s scores came in the same match on December 6.
Highest Team Total – Biratnagar Kings
Biratnagar Kings scored 198, losing all wickets against Lumbini Lions on December 4, which is the highest team score in the NPL so far. Next are Lumbini’s 191/7 vs. Biratnagar and Sudurpashchim Royals’ 187/4 against Lumbini Lions.
Most Catches – Naresh Budayair
Naresh Budayair of Sudurpashchim Royals leads the stats with seven catches from four matches. Next on the list are his teammate Ishan Pandey and Anil Sah of Janakpur Bolts with four catches each.
Most Sixes – Bibek Kumar Yadav
The Lumbini Lions batter has smashed 10 sixes in four NPL innings. He is followed by Sudurpashchim Royals captain Dipendra Singh Airee and Lokesh Bam of Biratnagar Kings with nine and eight sixes, respectively.
