Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Biratnagar Kings booked their spot in Qualifier 1 of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), thrashing Sudurpashchim Royals by six wickets at the TU International Cricket Grounds in Kathmandu on Saturday.
Batting first, Sudurpashchim folded for 147 runs for the loss of six wickets. Biratnagar, which needed to achieve the target in 13.5 overs to secure a top-two finish, scored 150 in just 11.5 overs losing four wickets.
The convincing win helped Biratnagar leapfrog Kathmandu Gorkhas second on the table on net run rate.
This was Sudurpashchim’s first loss of the season.
Biratnagar’s win was powered by half-centuries from both openers. Faf du Plessis scored 50 off 20 balls, and Sam Hitlege struck 50 off 27 balls. Martin Guptill was dismissed for 22 and Basir Ahmad for 8. Lokesh Bam (3*) and Pratish GC (13*) remained unbeaten.
For Sudurpaschim, Abhinash Bohara took two wickets and Harmit Singh claimed one.
Earlier, Sudurpaschim posted 147 for 6 in the allotted 20 overs. Arif Sheikh top-scored for Sudurpashchim with an unbeaten 45. Binod Bhandari contributed 15, while Ishan Pandey scores 38, Josh Brown 24, and Captain Dipendra Singh Airee 19.
Captain Sandeep Lamichhane took three wickets for Biratnagar, while Pratish GC picked up two and Basir Ahmad one.
The two sides meet again in the Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, with the winning side booking their spot in the final. Similarly, Kathmandu Gorkhas face Lumbini Lions in the Eliminator on Wednesday
