KATHMANDU: Biratnagar Kings secured its first win in the Nepal Premier League (NPL), defeating Lumbini Lions by two wickets with one ball to spare at the TU International Cricket Grounds on Wednesday.
Batting first, Lumbini Lions scored 191 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Biratnagar Kings reached the target with one ball to spare, thanks to some beautiful power-hitting by Lokesh Bam and Basir Ahmed.
Biratnagar Kings lost its first two matches against Janakpur Bolts and Sudurpashchim Royals.
Captain Rohit Paudel top-scored for Lumbini scoring 46 off 29 balls. Tom Moores added 30, Bibek Yadav contributed an unbeaten 19, and Arjun Saud scored 17. Ashutosh Ghiraiya and Saad Bin Zafar chipped in with 15 runs each.
Sandeep Lamichhane, Ismat Alam, and Rajesh Pulami took one wicket each for Biratnagar.
Despite losing opener Ismat Alam for a duck, Biratnagar’s other opener Lokesh Bam anchored the inning scoring 71 off 47 balls. He was supported by Martin Guptill (28) and Basir Ahmed (40). Chris Sole, who came to the crease with only five balls remaining, played a match-winning cameo, hitting a six and two fours to secure victory.
Durgesh Gupta took three wickets for the Lions, while Ramon Simmonds and Saad Bin Zafar claimed two wickets each. Bibek Yadav took one but conceded 64 runs in 23 balls.
Pokhara Avengers will face Janakpur Bolts in the first match on Thursday, while Kathmandu Gurkhas will take on Sudurpashchim Royals in the second match.
Himal Press
04 Dec 2024
