KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 12

Janakpur Bolts defeated the Kathmandu Gurkhas by 5 wickets, with 25 balls to spare, to secure a playoff spot in the Siddhartha Bank Nepal Premier League (NPL) T20 cricket tournament in Kathmandu.

In the match held at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, Janakpur chased down the target of 102 runs set by Kathmandu in 15.5 overs, losing five wickets in the process.

James Neesham led the scoring for Janakpur with 27 runs, supported by Harsh Thakar's 25 and Lahiru Milantha's 16.

On the bowling front, Kathmandu's captain Karan KC took two wickets, while Gerhard Erasmus, Dipesh Kandel, and Shahab Alam claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, Kathmandu, electing to bat first after winning the toss, were bowled out for 101 runs in 19.3 overs. Gerhard Erasmus top-scored with 20 runs, while captain Karan KC and Stephen Eskinazi contributed 19 and 17 runs, respectively, as the only players to reach double figures.

Janakpur's bowlers delivered a clinical performance, with Lalit Rajbanshi and Sher Malla taking three wickets apiece.

Later, Lalit Rajbanshi was declared man-of-the-match for his match winning spell of 4-2-8-3.

Mohammad Mohsin added two wickets to the tally, while Arniko Yadav and Kishor Mahato picked up one wicket each.

In tomorrow's fixtures, Karnali Yaks will face Lumbini Lions, while Chitwan Rhinos are set to take on Biratnagar Kings in the later match.