Sudurpaschim Royals Vs Janakpur Bolts Highlights, Nepal Premier League: Bhandari Powers SPR Into Final With Eight-Wicket Win

Welcome to the live coverage of the Nepal Premier League 2024. We are into the play-offs and today is the first qualifier. Sudurpaschim Royals are up against Janakpur Bolts with the winner getting the chance to play the final.

Meanwhile, Karnali Yaks have eliminated Chitwan Rhinos. The loser between Sudurpaschim and Janakpur will be playing Karnali Yaks for a place in the final of the Nepal Premier League.

Janakpur Bolts have won the toss and they are batting first in Kirtipur.

Janakpur Bolts Playing 11: Lahiru Milantha, Aasif Sheikh, Aakash Tripathi, Harsh Thaker, Shubh Kansakar, James Neesham, Mohammad Mohsin, Arniko Yadav, Sher Malla, Lalit Rajbanshi, Kishore Mahato

Sudurpaschim Royals Playing 11: Saif Zaib, Binod Bhandari †, Brandon McMullen, Ishan Pandey, Dipendra Singh Airee (c), Aarif Sheikh, Harmeet Singh, Scott Kuggeleijn, Naresh Budayair, Naren Saud, Abinash Bohara

Dipendra Singh Airee dismisses Lahiru Milantha and that is the first wicket of the match. Milantha has been pinned in front of the wickets and the slow start costs Bolts. Milantha departs for 12 from 14 balls.

JB: 19/1 (3)

A slow start for Janakpur Bolts so far after winning the toss. Just 37 runs and they have lost both their openers. On the penultimate ball of the powerplay, Saif Zaib dismissed Aasif Shekif for 11(10).

JB: 37/2 (6)

Janakpur Bolts are struggling to break free and create big partnerships. They have lost three wickets now and the innings is at halfway stage. They are scoring at just above run a ball and Sudurpaschim would not complain.

JB: 61/3 (10)

Things keep moving slow for Janakpur Bolts. They are now pinning hopes on James Neesham who is batting on 15 from 10 balls and has also hit a six. Only he can take Bolts to a respectable total now. They would want to go above 140.

94/4 (15)

Sudurpaschim Royals are off to a solid start in pursuit of Janakpur Bolts' 140-run target. Openers Saif Zaib and Binod Bhandari have scored 40 runs in the first four overs without losing any wicket. The Bolts had earlier finished with 139 runs in 20 overs, losing nine wickets in the process.

After 11 overs, Royals are in cruise control with 90 runs on the board and the sole wicket of Saif Zaib having fallen. Binod Bhandari is in full flow alongside Brandon McMullen, and the Bolts need a couple of wickets soon if they are to spark a turnaround.

After a 59-run stand between Binod Bhandari and Brandon McMullen, Janakpur Bolts finally have a breakthrough. Lalit Rajbanshi has McMullen caught by Jimmy Neesham for a score of 25. But it might be too little, too late as the required rate is under six and runs needed below 20. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee has joined Bhandari at the crease.

It ends up to be a stroll in the park for Sudurpaschim Royals. Binod Bhandari stays there right till the end, scoring an unbeaten 58 off 55 balls as the Royals achieve the 140-run target in 18.3 overs, with eight wickets in the bag. They thus book a ticket to the final, while the Janakpur Bolts will meet the Karnali Yaks in Qualifier 2.