Sudurpaschim Royals has advanced to the final of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2025 by beating Biratnagar Kings by 77 runs in the Qualifier 1 held in Kirtipur.
Sudurpaschim bowled out Biratnagar for 78 runs while the latter was chasing the 156-run target.
To restrict the opponent to such a low score, Scott Kuggeleijn, Harmeet Singh and Abinash Bohara two wickets each while Hemant Dhami and Dipendra Singh Airee claimed 1 wicket each for Sudurpaschim.
Faf du Plessis' 36-run score was the highest for Biratnagar. du Plessis hit 3 fours and 1 six off 29 runs followed by Marchante de Lange with 15 runs while Basir Ahamad contributed 12 runs. The other batsmen could not reach double-digit runs.
Earlier, invited to bat first after losing the toss at the TU International Cricket Ground on Tuesday, Sudurpaschim notched up 155 runs losing 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
Binod Bhandari topped the score with 63 runs including 3 fours and 2 sixes off 52 balls followed by Sheldon Jackson and Aarif Sheikh with 20 runs each while Harmeet Singh scored 14 runs. Similarly, Ishan Pandey and Mukhtar Ahmed 13 and 10 runs, respectively. The other batsmen could not score double-digit runs.
In reply, Marchante de Lange and Pratis GC took 2 wickets each giving away 23 and 31 runs, respectively. Similarly, Surya Tamang and Sam Heazlett claimed 1 wicket each.
With the loss to Sudurpaschim, Biratnagar will now have to face the winner of the eliminator. The match will be held on Thursday.
Kathmandu Gorkhas and Lumbini Lions will lock their horns in the eliminator tomorrow. The final is scheduled for Saturday.
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