KATHMANDU: Sudurpashchim Royals extended their dominant run in the Nepal Premier League (NPL), beating defending champions Janakpur Bolts by five wickets at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kathmandu on Saturday.

The victory, their fifth in a row, confirmed Sudurpashchim a place in the playoffs with two matches still to play. After the defeat, Janakpur now have a slim chance of making it to the playoffs.

Janakpur made a poor start with the bat in the must-win fixture. They lost three wickets for just 35 runs inside six overs. Their new Pakistani signing Maaz Sadaqat managed only 12, while Aasif Sheikh and Mayan Yadav fell for 0 and 6, respectively. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Sanjay Krishnamurti rebuilt the innings with a steady stand. Loftie-Eaton hit 39 off 33, and Krishnamurti scored 50 from 38 balls. Aaditya Mahata added 15, and Captain Wayne Parnell chipped in with 14 as Janakpur reached 148 for eight.

Abinash Bohara led Sudurpashchim’s attack with four wickets. Scott Kuggeleijn picked up three, while captain Dipendra Singh Airee added one.

Sudurpashchim also made a shaky start in the chase as opener Josh Brown fell for 0 and No. 3 batter Chris Lynn managed only 1. But opener Binod Bhandari held firm with a patient 42 off 49 balls. Ishan Pandey lifted the innings with a brisk 56 off 35. Airee (10*) and Harmeet Singh (25*) took Sudurpashchim home with 13 balls to spare.

Sadaqat took two wickets for Janakpur, while Krishnamurti and Mahata claimed one each.

In the day’s first match, Lumbini picked up their second win of the tournament, defeating Pokhara Avengers by three wickets.

Sunday’s Fixture:
Karnali Yaks vs Kathmandu Gorkhas