Janakpur Bolts were too hot to handle for the Biratnagar Kings as they suffered an eight-wicket defeat in the opening match of the Nepal Premier League 2024, on Saturday, November 30, at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. (More Cricket News)
Lahiru Milantha showcased his brilliance with an unbeaten 75 from just 53 deliveries to take the Bolts home in just 15.3 overs, chasing 128 for victory.
Harsh Thaker added 29 from 33 balls, stitching a good 116-run partnership with Milantha.
For the Kings, Chris Sole and Pratis GC picked a wicket apiece but were blown away by the Bolts.
After being put to bat, Martin Guptill started off on a very good note, notching up a half-century, but failed to get any support from his teammates.
Jolts’ Lalit Rajbanshi bagged three wickets, while Kishore Mahato picked up two wickets to restrict the Kings for a mere 127 in 19 overs.
Earlier on, Janakpur Bolts' skipper Anil Sah won the toss and opted to field first against Biratnagar Kings.
Biratnagar Kings Vs Janakpur Bolts Playing XIs, Nepal Premier League 2024
Biratnagar Kings: Martin Guptill, Lokesh Bam(wk), Rajesh Pulami, Nicholas Kirton, Aqib Ilyas, Anil Kharel, Pratish GC, Sandeep Lamichhane(c), Basir Ahamad, Jitendra Mukhiya, Chris Sole
Janakpur Bolts: Anil Sah(c), Aasif Sheikh, Harsh Thaker, Lahiru Milantha(wk), Arniko Yadav, Shubh Kansakar, Mohammad Mohsin, Tul Bahadur Thapa, Ben Mike, Kishore Mahato, Lalit Rajbanshi
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan will also take part in the inaugural season of Nepal Premier League. The tournament will feature top players from around the world and conclude with the final on December 21. All matches will be played at the Tribhuvan University grounds.
During the opening ceremony, the 38-year-old was seen taking a stadium tour before the first ball of the first game got underway.
Biratnagar Kings Vs Janakpur Bolts Squads, Nepal Premier League 2024
Biratnagar Kings: Sandeep Lamichhane, Basir Ahamad, Ismat Alam, Lokesh Bam (wk), Dipak Bohara, Subash Bhandari, Naren Bhatt, Pratish GC, Mrinal Gurung, Martin Guptill, Nicholas Kirton, Aqib Ilyas, Anil Kharel, Kamal Khatri, Jitendra Mukhiya, Rajesh Pulami, and Chris Sole.
Janakpur Bolts: Anil Kumar Sah, Hemant Dhami, Shubh Kansakar, Kishore Mahato, Sher Malla, Lahiru Milantha (wk), Ben Mike, Mohammad Mohsin, James Neesham, Lalit Rajbanshi, Rupesh Singh, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Bishal Shusling, Tul Thapa, Harsh Thaker, Aakash Tripathi, Joshua Tromp, and Arniko Yadav.
