Lumbini Lions clinch NPL second edition title

Kathmandu, Dec 13: Lumbini Lions have clinched the title of the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), trouncing Sudurpaschim Royals by six wickets in the final match held at the Kirtipur-based TU International Cricket Stadium today. Sudurpaschim Royals was the first runner-up of the first edition of NPL.     

Sudurpaschim had to contend with the runner-up this time also. In the final of the first edition, Sudurpaschim was defeated by Janakpur Bolts.     

This time Lumbini bagged Rs 11 million along with the title. The runner-up Sudurpaschim received Rs 5.1 million.     

Lumbini chased the target of 86 runs set by Sudurpaschim and achieved it in nine overs losing four wickets.     

Dinesh Adhikari contributed the highest 42 runs for Lumbini. He scored 42 runs in 13 balls, hitting one four and five sixes.     

Similarly, D'Arcy Short scored 14 runs. He made 14 runs with three fours in 13 balls. Captain Rohit Paudel scored 16 runs. He made 16 runs with two fours and a six in 12 balls. Niroshan Dickwella remained unbeaten on 11 runs. Similarly, Sandip Jora was out for zero.     

In bowling, Hemanta Dhami took two wickets, while Avinash Bohora and Dipendra Singh Airee took one wicket each for Sudurpaschim.     

Earlier, Sudurpaschim,  won the toss and opting to bat first, were bowled out for 85 runs in 19.1 overs.     

Ishan Pandey scored the highest 33 runs for Sudurpaschim. He scored 33 runs off 51 balls, including one four. Similarly, captain Dipendra Singh Airee made 13 runs, while Harmit Singh and Scott Kuggeleijn each scored 10 runs. Apart from that, the other batsmen could not add double-digit runs.     

In the process of restraining Sudurpaschim at modest run, the bowlers of Lumbini Lions performed excellently. For Lumbini, Sher Malla, Ruben Trampelman and captain Rohit Paudel took three wickets each. Similarly, Tika Bhandari took one wicket.(RSS)