Harmit powers Sudurpaschim to opening win

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Nov. 20: All-rounder Harmit Singh inspired Sudurpaschim Royals to a winning start in Season Two of the Nepal Premier League on Wednesday. In their opener, last edition’s runners-up defeated Kathmandu Gorkhas by 29 runs at the TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur.

Put in to bat first, Sudurpaschim overcame a top-order collapse to set a competitive target of 148 runs. Kathmandu, who entered their second match after stunning defending champions Janakpur Bolts in the tournament opener, failed to withstand Sudurpaschim’s bowling attack. They were bowled out for 118 in 16.5 overs.

Kathmandu’s batters struggled to build partnerships, losing wickets at regular intervals. Opener Aakash Tripathi top-scored with 34 off 30 balls, while Bhim Sharki added 12. English batter John Simpson contributed 24 from 18 balls, and Indian all-rounder Milind Kumar made 11 off 14. Lower-order batter Sunny Patel (10) was the only other player to reach double figures.

After shining with the bat, Harmit also impressed with the ball, taking two wickets with his slow-arm spin. Scott Kuggeleijn and Hemant Dhami claimed two wickets each, while Ishan Pandey, Naren Saud, and Abinash Bohara picked up one apiece.

Earlier, Sudurpaschim’s middle order rescued the innings, with Indian left-hander Harmit top-scoring with a blistering half-century. They finished on 147 all out in 20 overs. 

Harmit struck 53 off just 20 balls, including two fours and six sixes. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee added 39 from 30 balls with three fours and a six. Arif Sheikh contributed 25, while Ishan Pandey managed 11.

Sudurpaschim had slumped to 27/4 in the powerplay. Openers Josh Brown and Binod Bhandari fell for ducks in the first over, while Chris Lynn (2) departed in the third. Kathmandu skipper Karan KC claimed all three early wickets. Ishan Pandey was then dismissed in the sixth over, leaving Sudurpaschim in deep trouble.

Captain Airee steadied the innings with a 25-run stand alongside Arif, before Arif was bowled by Rashid in the 10th over. Narayan Saud (6 off 12) followed in the 14th. Harmit then lifted the innings with a 57-run partnership with Airee. Airee was dismissed in the 18th over with the score at 133, and Sudurpaschim added only 14 runs in the final 15 balls.

Karan KC led Kathmandu’s bowling attack with a four-wicket haul. Milind Kumar, Sunny Patel, and Rashid Khan picked up two wickets each.

Lumbini Lions will kick off their NPL campaign on Thursday against Chitwan Rhinos.