Janakpur Bots has set a 131-run target for Kathmandu Gorkhas in the opening match of the Siddhartha Bank Nepal Premier League (NPL) underway at the TU International Cricket Ground.
Invited to bat first after losing the toss on Monday, Janakpur notched up 130 runs losing six wicket in the allotted 20 overs.
Aasif Sheikh scored a half century. Sheikh hit 6 fours and 1 six off 41 deliveries. Mayan Yadav scored 34 runs including 2 fours and 1 six off 29 deliveries while Lahiru Samarakoon contributed 22 runs. The other batsmen could not score significant runs.
In reply, Milind Kumar took the highest 3 wickets conceding 15 runs in 4 overs while Karan KC, Shahab Alam and Santosh Yadav grabbed 1 wicket each for Kathmandu.
The NPL kicked off at 4 pm amidst a ceremony after Prime Minister Sushila Karki officially inaugurated the tournament.In the first edition of the NPL, Janakpur had defeated Kathmandu.
Shivnarine Chaderpaul, West Indies cricket legend, is the head coach for Janakpur Bolts in the second edition. Likewise, Monti Desai of India is the main coach for Kathmandu Gorkhas.
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