Janakpur Bolts register first win of Nepal Premier League

Kathmandu, Dec.1: Janakpur Bolts emerged victorious in the first match of the inaugural edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) defeating Biratnagar Kings by eight wickets at a packed TU International Cricket Ground on Saturday. 

Thousands of cricket fans had reached the TU Ground, the home of Nepali cricket, to mark a new milestone in the history of Nepali cricket. While the stadium was overcrowded from the inside, the situation was similar outside as well; fans were seen climbing trees and peeking through any hole possible.

Janakpur won the toss and elected to field first in the NPL opener and welcomed Lokesh Bam and former New Zealand international Martin Guptill to face a balanced bowling lineup of Janakpur’s pacers and spinners.

Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi was the first to strike for Janakpur as he bowled out Bam (5 off 6) while opening the second over. Biratnagar’s suffering started after Bam’s departure, but Guptill was keeping the score in balance.

Guptill partnered with Aqib Ilyas, Nicholas Kirton and Basir Ahamad and took the team near to the three-digit mark. He became the first half-centurion in the NPL, and when he departed for 55 off 43 (7 fours, 1 six), Biratnagar was at 96/4 at the end of the 14th over.

And in the next five overs, Biratnagar could only add 31 runs in the loss of six wickets. Except for Guptill, Aqib Ilyas (15 off 18) was the only other Biratnagar batsman to score in double figures. By the end of the 19th over, Janakpur bundled out Biratnagar for a paltry 127 runs.

Lalit was the highest wicket-taker of the match as he bagged three. Kishore Mahato also pressured Biratnagar during his spell and took two wickets, the same number as Harsh Thaker. Ben Mike and Mohammad Mohsin also took one each for Janakpur.  

“It was not easy to bat for me as well. Overall, our boys gave their best, and we look forward to the next game,” said Guptill in the post-match conference, adding that he was excited to play in front of the mesmerising crowd in Nepal for the first time. 

Overseas players shine for Bolts

Janakpur’s captain, Anil Kumar Sah, is confident in his team. His statement in the post-tournament press meet on Friday and the post-match conference on Saturday supports his intent.

Stating that he had nothing to share beforehand, Sah had assured journalists that his team would show their abilities in Saturday’s game, and they did.

Janakpur had two Nepali wicketkeepers – skipper Sah and Aasif Sheikh. However, the team placed Lahiru Milantha behind the wickets. “I and Aasif decided to be near the bowlers and fielders to motivate and support them; thus, Lahiru was kept as the wicketkeeper. The decision benefitted us,” Sah said in the post-match conference.

Nevertheless, the skipper and Janakpur's marquee, Aasif, could not do enough for the team with their bat. The duo opened for Janakpur in the chase but they both departed by the second over.

Aasif (5 off 4) and Anil (0 off 3) were bowled out by Biratnagar pacers Chris Sole and Pratish GC respectively. However, those were the only two wickets for Biratnagar.

Two overseas players of Janakpur, who entered at three and four, Lahiru and Harsh, took the team to victory in 15.3 overs.

Lahiru scored the second half-century of the NPL and stayed not out at 75 off 53 with nine fours and three sixes. He partnered with Harsh (29 off 33) and registered the first win for Janakpur. Lahiru was the player of the match. 

Interestingly, the third-highest score for Janakpur came through extras. Biratnagar bowlers gave 22 runs in extras while defending 128.

Janakpur has made a positive start to the tournament despite starting without some of their major players. Thus, with the return of the players busy for the national U19 team in the Asia Cup and James Neesham, Janakpur is likely to be more formidable.

“We will try to keep our momentum going because all the teams have a good squad,” said Sah. 

Janakpur will be playing their second game of the NPL on December 2 against Karnali Yaks. Before the duo’s encounter, the TU Ground will mark the confrontation of Kathmandu Gurkhas and Chitwan Rhinos. There is a gap on December 1 due to by-elections in Kirtipur.