KATHMANDU: South African former all-rounder Wayne Parnell captained Janakpur Bolts in Saturday’s Nepal Premier League (NPL) match against Sudurpashchim Royals at TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur.

Winning the toss, Parnell opted to bat first.

Parnell is the first foreign player to captain an NPL team.

He was added to Janakpur’s squad only in the previous match, where he scored an unbeaten half-century against Pokhara.

Janakpur, who lost their first three matches, made the leadership change amid regular captain Anil Sah’s poor form.

Sah was dropped from the playing XI, with Aditya Mehta brought in as his replacement.

Last season, Janakpur defeated Sudurpashchim to win the title, but their performance this year has been disappointing.

The team also benched last season’s hero Lahiru Milantha in the previous match.

Despite being the team’s marquee wicketkeeper-batter, Aasif Sheikh has not been given any leadership role so far.

To keep their playoff hopes alive, Janakpur must win all remaining four matches.

Meanwhile, Sudurpashchim remain unbeaten, winning all four of their matches and sitting at the top of the table.

They replaced Naren Saud with Milan Bohara for this fixture.

Janakpur Bolts:

Sudurpaschim Royals: