Janakpur defeated Biratnagar by 8 wickets

In the opening match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), Janakpur Bolts secured a comfortable victory over Biratnagar Kings. Janakpur defeated the Biratnagar Kings by 8 wickets in a match held on Saturday at the Tribhuvan University ground in Kirtipur.

Chasing a target of 128 runs set by Biratnagar, Janakpur completed the chase in 15.3 overs, losing 2 wickets.

Lahiru Milantha played a key role in Janakpur's victory, scoring a half-century. He scored 75 not out, hitting 9 fours and 3 sixes off 53 balls. Harsh Thakur added 29 not out, with 2 fours from 33 balls. Janakpur's openers, Anil Sah and Asif Sheikh, struggled to get going. Asif was bowled by Biratnagar’s Chris Sole. Anil was also dismissed for 5 runs, bowled by Biratnagar’s Pratish Jisi on the final ball of the second over.

Despite a half-century from New Zealand’s Martin Guptill, Biratnagar’s batting performance was underwhelming. Guptill top-scored for Biratnagar with 55 runs, hitting 7 fours and 1 six. He was dismissed in the 14th over. 

There will be no matches in the NPL on Sunday due to local elections. NPL matches will resume from Monday.