The Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2024 delivered an edge-of-the-seat thriller as Janakpur Bolts defeated Lumbini Lions by just 1 run on December 8 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. After Lumbini Lions won the toss and opted to bowl first, the match setup promised a competitive contest — and it did not disappoint.
Contents
Match Setup
Match Type: Nepal Premier League 2024, Match 14
Toss Winner: Lumbini Lions (elected to bowl)
Venue: Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
Janakpur Bolts Innings
Batting first, Janakpur posted a total of 136/9 in 20 overs, led by Anil Sah’s 45 and steady contributions from Shubh Kansakar. Saad Bin Zafar and Abhishek Gautam were standout bowlers for the Lions.
| Batting | R(B) | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anil Sah | 45(39) | 1 | 4 | 115.38 |
| Aasif Sheikh | 16(10) | 2 | 1 | 160.00 |
| Lahiru Milantha | 24(23) | 2 | 0 | 104.35 |
| Shubh Kansakar (not out) | 22(24) | 0 | 2 | 91.67 |
| Extras | 15 | |||
| Total | 136/9 |
Bowling:
| Bowler | O | R | W | ECO | Dots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abhishek Gautam | 4 | 20 | 3 | 5.00 | 14 |
| Saad Bin Zafar | 3 | 11 | 2 | 3.67 | 13 |
| Rohit Kumar Paudel | 4 | 22 | 2 | 5.50 | 9 |
Lumbini Lions Innings
Chasing 137, Lumbini Lions fell just 1 run short, finishing at 135/8 in 20 overs. Rohit Kumar Paudel (35) and Tom Moores (31) played key roles, but Harsh Thaker’s five-wicket haul sealed the victory for Janakpur.
| Batting | R(B) | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Kumar Paudel | 35(38) | 3 | 0 | 92.11 |
| Tom Moores | 31(23) | 2 | 1 | 134.78 |
| Sundeep Jora | 16(8) | 1 | 1 | 200.00 |
| Extras | 17 | |||
| Total | 135/8 |
Bowling:
| Bowler | O | R | W | ECO | Dots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harsh Thaker | 4 | 23 | 5 | 5.75 | 12 |
| Lalit Rajbanshi | 4 | 13 | 1 | 3.25 | 17 |
| Kishore Mahato | 3 | 25 | 1 | 8.33 | 8 |
Match Highlights
- Harsh Thaker’s Heroics: A brilliant 5/23 spell, including a pressure-filled last over, made him the Player of the Match.
- Lions’ Middle-Order Struggles: Despite solid starts from Paudel and Moores, Lumbini’s collapse under pressure cost them the game.
Final Verdict
The Bolts’ stunning 1-run victory underscores the excitement of the NPL 2024, keeping fans eagerly anticipating the next thrilling encounter!