Janakpur Bolts has won the title of the first edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), 2024 by defeating Sudurpaschim by 5 wickets.
Chasing the 185-run target set by Sudurpaschim, Janakpur reached the target in 19.2 overs at the cost of 5 wickets.
Opener Lahiru Milantha topped the score with 87 runs including 9 fours and 4 sixes off 49 deliveries followed by Aasif Sheikh with 33 runs while Harsh Thaker contributed 30 runs. Mohammad Mohsin contributed 9 balls while James Neesham and Aakash Tripathi made 4 and 2 runs, respectivley.
On the bowling side, Scott Kuggeleijn, Saif Zaib, Dipendra Singh Airee and Ishan Pandey grabbed 1 wicket each for Sudurpaschim.
Earlier, electing to bat first after winning the toss at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Saturday, Sudurpaschim notched up 184 runs losing 9 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
Zaib scored a half century with 59 runs including 8 fours and 2 sixes off 36 balls followed by Binod Bhandari with 41 runs while Brandon McMullen and Harmeet Singh scored 14 runs each. Similarly, Scott Kuggeleijn contributed 13 runs.
On the bowling side, Kishore Mahato and Mohammad Mohsin grabbed 3 wickets each while James Neesham and Lalit Rajbanshi took 1 wicket each for Janakpur.
Earlier, Janakpur had lost to Sudurpaschim by 72 runs in the league stage match and by 8 wickets in the first qualifier. By clinching a 5-wicket win over the opponent in the final, Janakpur now has taken revenge against Sudurpaschim.
With the win Janakpur Bolts will receive Rs 11 million. Similarly, runner-up Sudurpaschim will receive Rs 5.1 million, the third-placed team Karnali Yaks will receive Rs 2.5 million while the fourth-placed team Chitwan will receive Rs 1.5 million.
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