Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Janakpur Bolts secured its second victory in as many games in the Nepal Premier League (NPL), defeating Karnali Yaks by eight wickets at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kathmandu on Monday.
Batting first after winning the toss, the Yaks scored 141 for the loss of seven wickets. The Bolts overcame the target in 15.1 overs, riding on Captain Anil Sah’s magnificent half-century.
Karnali came under pressure early in the game as their top order collapsed miserably. Dev Khanal was out in the second over scoring one run. The other opener, Shikhar Dhawan, fell in the fifth over, scoring a run-a-ball 14. Chadwick Walton and Babar Hayat scored 8 and 12, respectively, while Zeeshan Maqsood was out for a duck. Gulshan Jha and Arjun Gharti rescued Karnali’s innings, scoring 36 and 33, respectively. Sompal Kami added 29 off 13 balls.
Mohammad Mohsin took two wickets for Janakpur, while Kishore Mahato, Lalit Rajbansi, Harsh Thaker, and James Neesham each contributed a wicket.
Janakpur’s openers made light work of the chase, adding 84 runs for the first wicket. Anil Sah scored an unbeaten 62 off 42 balls, while the other opener, Aasif Sheikh, hit a 29-ball 36. After Aasif fell, Lahiru Milantha scored 24 from 13 balls. James Neesham remained unbeaten on 16 off eight balls.
Zeeshan Maqsood and Mousom Dhakal took a wicket each for Karnali.
Two matches will be played in the NPL on Tuesday. Sudurpashchim Royals takes on Biratnagar Kings in the first match, while Chitwan Rhinos meets Pokhara Avengers in the second match of the day.
