Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Sudurpaschim Royals has entered the final of the inaugural Nepal Premier League, defeating Janakpur Bolts by eight wickets in Qualifier 1 at the TU International Cricket Grounds on Wednesday.
Fielding first, the Royals bowled out Janakpur for 139 runs and then chased down the target, losing two wickets with nine balls to spare.
Janakpur Bolts will now play against Karnali Yaks, who won the Eliminator against Chitwan Rhinos in the first match on Wednesday, for a spot in the final.
Janakpur, which was missing Captain Anil Sah due to injury, made a slow start with the bat. Lahiru Milantha and Aasif Sheikh scored 12 and 11 runs, respectively. Shubh Kansakar scored 26, Harsh Thaker contributed 12, and Arniko Yadav chipped in 11 runs. James Neesham scored a quickfire 45 from 23 balls but lacked support from the other end. The remaining Janakpur batters failed to reach double digits.
Captain Dipendra Singh Airee took three wickets, Saif Zaib claimed two, while Scott Kuggeleijn and Abinash Bohara picked up one wicket each for Sudurpaschim.
Chasing a target of 140 runs to secure a place in the final, Sudurpaschim openers added 56 runs for the first wicket. Saif Zaib scored 32 off 21 balls, while Binod Bhandari remained unbeaten on 58 off 55 balls. Brandon McMullen contributed 25 off 19, and Captain Airee hit a not-out 20 off 16 balls.
Lalit Rajbanshi and Kishore Mahato took a wicket each for Janakpur.
