Biratnagar continue perfect start in NPL, defeat Janakpur by 9 runs

KATHMANDU: Biratnagar Kings continued their perfect run in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) with a tense nine-run victory over defending champions Janakpur Bolts at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kathmandu on Monday.

Put in to bat after losing the toss, Biratnagar posted a modest 135 for seven and then restricted Janakpur to 129, as Captain Sandeep Lamichhane picked up four wickets, giving just 11 runs in his four-over spell.

Biratnaga made a slow start with the bat as they lost reliable opener George Munsey for 10 in the third over. Although fellow opener Lokesh Bam scored 28 off 26, Martin Guptill departed cheaply for 13. Shubham Ranjane (37) and Basir Ahamad (36) steadied the innings, but Biratnagar failed to accelerate after the pair were dismissed.

Sangeeth Cooray and Rupesh Singh claimed two wickets each for Janakpur, while Aaditya Mahata had a wicket to his name.

Janakpur struggled to build momentum in their chase as Biratnagar struck at regular intervals. Although openers Lahiru Milantha (23) and Aasif Sheikh (13) added 19 for the first wicket, pressure mounted once captain Anil Sah fell for four. Sanjay Krishnamurthi contributed a brisk 20 off 12 balls before Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton’s 41 revived Janakpur’s hopes. However, his dismissal with five balls remaining virtually ended their chances and Janakpur were restricted to 126 for nine.

Lamichhane led from the front with a four-wicket haul, while Surya Tamang picked up two. Marchant de Lange and Shubham Ranjane added a wicket apiece.

The defeat marked Janakpur’s second consecutive loss, while Biratnagar strengthened their position with three wins from three matches.