Lumbini Lions has booked a berth in playoffs of the ongoing Nepal Premier League (NPL) by defeating defending champion Janakpur Bolts by 4 wickets.
With Lumbini's win, Pokhara Avengers, Chitwan Rhinos and Janakpur Bolts have been eliminated. Kananali Yaks has already crashed out of the NPL Season 2.
Similarly, Sudurpaschim Royals, Kathmandu Gorkhas and Biratnagar Kings have already secured their spots in the playoffs of the ongoing NPL Season 2.
Chasing the 133-run target set by Janakpur, Lumbini reached it in 19.1 overs losing 6 wickets. Captain Rohit Paudel scored the highest 34 runs including 2 fours and 1 six off 32 balls followed by D'Arcy Short with 30 runs. Similarly, JJ Smit, Niroshan Dickwella and Dilip Nath contributed 21, 17 and 15 runs, respectively.
In reply, Sangeeth Cooray took the highest 3 wickets followed by Mayan Yadav with 2 wickets while Sanjay Krishnamurthi claimed 1 wicket.
Earlier, electing to bat first after winning the toss at the TU International Cricket Ground on Friday, Janakpur notched up 132 runs losing 6 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
Sangeeth Cooray topped the score with 45 runs including 2 fours and 1 six off 38 deliveries followed by Mayan Yadav with 27 runs while Aasif Sheikh scored 20 runs.
Similarly, Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Shubh Kansakar contributed 14 and 11 runs, respectively. The other batsmen could not achieve significant runs.
Rohit Paudel and Sher Malla took 2 wickets each while JJ Smit and Abhishesh Gautam claimed 1 wicket each for Lumbini Lions.
Two matches are scheduled for Saturday. Biratnagar Kings will take on Sudurpaschim at 11:15 am and Chitwan Rhinos and Pokhara Avengers will lock their horns at 3:30 pm.
A total of eight franchise-based teams are taking part in the second edition of the NPL, organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal.
.
