NPL: Janakapur enter final by defeating Karnali

KATHMANDU: Janakpur Bolts has secured a place in the final of the ongoing Nepal Premier League (NPL) by defeating Karnali Yaks in today’s second qualifier match.

Chasing a 119-run target set by Karnali in 19 overs, Janakpur achieved the goal with ease. James Neesham was the top scorer for Janakpur, scoring 45 runs with two boundaries and five sixes off just 17 balls.

Sher Malla was not out with 16, while Harsh Thakur contributed 17 runs. Mayan Yadav and Akash Tripathi scored 15 and 13, respectively. On the bowling side, Karnali’s Bipin Prasad Sharma took three wickets, while Sompal Kami, William Bosisto, and Zeeshan Maqsood each claimed one wicket. Earlier, Karnali Yaks lost the toss and was put into to bat first.

The team posted 118 runs in 20 overs, losing nine wickets Gulshan Jha was the top scorer for Karnali with 25 runs, including one four and two sixes off 20 balls.

Opener Dev Khanal made 24 runs, hitting three boundaries and one six in 20 balls, while William Bosisto scored 14 runs off 15 balls, including one boundary. Zeeshan Maqsood and Unish Thakuri each contributed 12 runs, but no other players reached double digits. Sompal Kami was dismissed for five runs, and Jaykishan Kolsawala made just one run. For Janakpur, James Neesham, Mohammad Mohsin, and Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi took two wickets each, while Harsh Thakur and Sher Malla claimed one wicket each.

With this victory, Janakpur will face Sudurpaschim Royals in the final on December 21. The NPL is underway at Tribhuvan University’s Cricket Ground, Kirtipur.