Biratnagar Kings slump to third defeat in NPL

By A Staff Reporting.Kathmandu, Dec. 4: Biratnagar Kings failed to capitalise on the presence of South African batter Faf du Plessis as they suffered their third defeat in the Nepal Premier League. 

Rohit Paudel’s Lumbini Lions beat Sandeep Lamichhane’s Biratnagar by five wickets at TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, on Wednesday.

The much‑needed victory boosted Lumbini’s play‑off hopes as they climbed to fourth place with six points from three wins in six matches. 

Biratnagar, meanwhile, remain in third place with eight points after back‑to‑back defeats. Kathmandu Gorkhas overtook them in second spot thanks to a superior run rate. Biratnagar had lost their previous match against Chitwan Rhinos. 

A win over table‑toppers Sudur Paschim in their final group game will secure their play‑off berth, but defeat would leave them dependent on other results.

Put in to bat first, Biratnagar posted a modest 144 for eight in 20 overs. Lumbini chased down the target comfortably, reaching 145 for five in 17.4 overs to seal their third win.

Though Lumbini stumbled to 29 for two in 4.4 overs, opener D’Arcy Short’s half‑century steadied the innings. They lost Sumit Maharjan (10 off 11) and captain Rohit Paudel for a duck in the fifth over. 

Sundeep Jora added 37 runs with Short for the third wicket before falling lbw to Lamichhane. Short then shared a 46‑run stand with Niroshan Dickwella before being dismissed by Lamichhane in the 13th over with the score at 112.

Short top‑scored with 57 off 44 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes. Dickwella guided Lumbini home with an unbeaten 29 off 22 balls, including two boundaries and a six. Dilip Nath contributed 16 off 12 balls in a 31‑run partnership with Dickwella before departing with just two runs needed.

For Biratnagar, Subash Bhandari and skipper Lamichhane claimed two wickets apiece. Earlier, du Plessis failed to make an impact, dismissed for 12 as Biratnagar lost George Munsey for a duck and du Plessis within the first three overs. 

Lokesh Bam was the top scorer with 35 off 42 balls, while Sam Heazlett added 27 from 20 and Basir Ahamad chipped in with a brisk 28 from 19. 

Bam and Heazlett managed a 55‑run stand, but wickets fell regularly thereafter. Pratis GC made 11 off nine, while Marchant de Lange remained unbeaten on 10 from eight balls.

Sher Malla was the pick of the bowlers for Lumbini, finishing with figures of 3 for 25. Malla was also named Player of the match. JJ Smit, Abhishesh Gautam and Ruben Trumpelmann took one wicket each.

Kathmandu Gorkhas will be aiming for their fifth victory when they face Pokhara Avengers in Thursday’s opening match. In the second fixture, Sudur Paschim Royals will look to preserve their unbeaten record against Chitwan Rhinos.