Kathmandu, October 29– Janakpur Bolts registered their first victory in the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), defeating Kathmandu Gorkhas by eight wickets at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Thursday.
Inspired by an impressive all-round performance from England’s Moeen Ali, Janakpur chased down a modest target of 116 runs in just 17.2 overs, losing only two wickets.
Moeen remained unbeaten on 58 off 51 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes. He shared an unbeaten 79-run partnership with Hasan Ali for the third wicket to guide Janakpur to a comfortable victory. Hasan contributed an unbeaten 40 off 27 balls, including one four and three sixes.
Janakpur had suffered a defeat against Karnali in their opening match. The victory marked their first win of the season and a strong comeback for the champions of the inaugural NPL edition. Thursday’s match was Kathmandu Gorkhas’ first game of the tournament.
Janakpur’s chase did not get off to a smooth start, as opener Trit Raj Das was dismissed for five in the second over. Mayan Yadav added 30 runs with Moeen before being run out for nine in the sixth over. However, Moeen and Hasan ensured there were no further setbacks.
Earlier, Kathmandu Gorkhas, after winning the toss and electing to bat, were bowled out for just 115 runs in 19.3 overs.
Kathmandu struggled from the beginning, losing two wickets in the third over. Seventeen-year-old Rahul Yadav gave Janakpur an early breakthrough by dismissing Sam Hazlett for one in the second over. Saif Hassan then removed Harishankar Shah for nine, while Rahul claimed the wicket of opener Smit Patel, who scored 13.
Kathmandu were reduced to 29 for three in 5.1 overs and managed only 36 runs during the powerplay.
Experienced spinner Moeen Ali dismissed Rashid Khan for 17 in the eighth over, leaving Kathmandu at 47 for four.
Bhim Sharki was Kathmandu’s highest scorer with 33 runs. He shared a 29-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Sumit Mahर्जan, who scored 10 before being run out. Bhim was later dismissed by Lalit Rajbanshi through a stumping by wicketkeeper Kushal Bhurtel.
Kathmandu were 92 for six at that stage but continued to lose wickets and were eventually bowled out for 115.
Rahul Yadav was the standout bowler for Janakpur, claiming four wickets for 31 runs. Saif Hassan took two wickets, while Moeen Ali, captain Harmeet Singh and Lalit Rajbanshi picked up one wicket each.
Despite using nine bowlers, Kathmandu failed to defend the modest total as Janakpur secured a comprehensive eight-wicket victory.
– News Agency Nepal