Sudurpaschim inflict first defeat on Janakpur in NPL

Kathmandu, Dec. 12: Sudurpaschim Royals bested the unbeaten Janakpur Bolts not only at TU International Cricket Ground but also in the points table of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). Janakpur lost their first game of the NPL while facing Sudurpaschim in the duo’s fifth match of the league stage on Wednesday.

Moreover, Sudurpaschim emerged victorious despite posting a low total against Janakpur. Chasing 124 runs, Janakpur was bundled out for a paltry 51 runs in 12.1 overs.

Janakpur’s skipper Anil Kumar Sah had elected to field first after winning the toss citing that the team batting first would struggle in the morning condition. 

Before the first game, the ground staff was seen busy cleaning frost deposits from the TU Ground. By the time of the game, the ground was all set and the venue was crowded with supporters since 9 am.

Saif Zaib and Binod Bhandari were giving a decent start for Sudurpaschim in front of loud supporters. But after the first wicket fell, Sudurpaschim’s batting order started collapsing. The first wicket partnership took the team to 55 runs before Zaib (21 off 21) departed in 7.4 overs. 

In at three, Harmeet Singh (1 off 3), the latest foreign signing of Sudurpaschim, also failed with the bat in his debut. Bhandari returned as the third wicket in 11.4 overs leaving the team at 75.

Brandon McMullen (11 off 17) and Ishan Pandey (17 off 14) were the only others to score in double figures as the likes of Dipendra Singh Airee returned for a duck. By the end of the first inning, Sudurpaschim could manage 123/9.

Kishore Mahato bagged four wickets, Sher Malla and Araniko Yadav took two each, and Harsh Thaker claimed one for Janakpur. 

“The batting condition was difficult for us and we knew it would be the same for the opponent. Thus, when we crossed the 110-run mark, we were confident of defending the total,” Pandey, who was later adjudged as the player of the match, told in the post-match conference.

Pandey took two wickets with the ball similar to Singh and Airee. Zaib, Naren Saud and Scott Kuggeleijn also bagged one each as none of the used bowlers by Sudur went wicketless on December 11. 

Airee’s somersault celebration after taking the wicket of James Neesham in the 7th over suggested that Sudurpaschim was confident in defending 124.

Kuggeleijn was the only pacer used by Sudur. Interestingly, Kuggeleijn took the last wicket of Janakpur in his first ball in the 13th over. 

Skipper Sah, who was not happy with his performance in the game against Sudurpaschim after getting out for a duck (0 off 7), stated that Janakpur’s batting order misjudged the balls and had poor shot selections that led to their collapse.

Only one of Janakpur’s batters, Joshua Tromp (13 off 13), reached the double-digit score. Janakpur would have confirmed a spot in the playoffs had they defeated Sudurpaschim. 

Lumbini defeated again

Losing four consecutive matches, Lumbini Lions raised hopes for their fans by winning their fifth game, against Chitwan Rhinos, on December 10. However, a day later, Lumbini returned to its old form and slimming its chance of playoff.

Lumbini lost to Kathmandu Gurkhas in another low-scoring match on Wednesday. Electing to bat first, Kathmandu could only post 103 runs on the board after losing all the wickets by 19.2 overs.

Bhim Sharki (31 off 40) was the highest scorer for Kathmandu while he was followed by Dan Douthwaite (21 off 24) and Pratik Shrestha (20 off 14). The only other batsmen from Kathmandu to score in double figures was opener Stephen Eskinazi (13 off 16).

Skipper Rohit Kumar Paudel was the only Lumbini bowler to not take a wicket. Bibek Yadav and Surya Tamang claimed one wicket each, Ramon Simmonds and Abhishesh Gautam took two each, and Saad Bin Zafar bagged three.

Nevertheless, Lumbini could not capitalise on the chance and chase the joint-lowest target of the NPL. Pokhara Avengers had also posted a target of 104 runs against Karnali Yaks on Tuesday and it was chased successfully.

Lumbini approached the lowest target slowly. When they lost the two openers in the fourth over, they were at 8 runs. 

Similarly, Tom Moores and Paudel departed without crossing the double-digit while Unmukt Chand (14 off 19), a former U19 star for India, could only contribute 14 off 19 despite a showdown of push-ups at the crease. Chand has scored only four runs in the previous three games.

Sundeep Jora was the highest scorer for Lumbini. He added 26 off 29 in a slow approach before departing as the eighth wicket in 18.4 overs with the team at 83. Lumbini could only add two more runs before getting all out in 19.2 overs.

Skipper Karan KC, who had only two wickets in the last three games, bagged four wickets in the game against Lumbini. KC striking the ‘I am here’ pose after taking the final wickets showed that he was satisfied with making a comeback from his poor performance. 

Dipesh Kandel, the slow left-arm orthodox bowler, also took three wickets against Lumbini while Gerhard Erasmus took two, and Rashid Khan claimed the final wicket as Kathmandu defeated Lumbini by 18 runs.

With the wins, Sudurpaschim and Kathmandu have climbed a position each. Sudurpaschim is now at the top of the table with eight points in five games. Janakpur also has eight points in five games but Sudurpaschim has a better net run rate. Kathmandu is now ranked fifth with four points from four games.

Match Day 11 on December 12 will see Pokhara Avengers vs Biratnagar Kings followed by Janakpur Bolts vs Kathmandu Gurkhas.