KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 9 Sudurpaschim Royals could not have asked for a better opportunity to exact revenge on Biratnagar Kings, handing them a morale-shattering 77-run defeat to secure their second consecutive Nepal Premier League final. The Kings, buoyed by their emphatic win over the Royals in the group stage that secured them second place in the eight-team tournament, failed to live up to expectations in the first qualifier of the season. They capitulated to the Royals in what ultimately proved to be a one-sided affair under the lights of a packed TU Cricket Stadium. Chasing a target of 156 after winning the toss, the Kings were bundled out for a meagre 78 inside 15 overs. Despite the setback in the first qualifier, they will have another opportunity to reach the final-provided they can overcome the winner of tomorrow's eliminator between the Lumbini Lions and the Kathmandu Gorkhas. Royals' star bowler Scott Kuggeleijn, who delivered a dream start by removing Sam Heazlett for a first-ball duck, said, 'It wasn't an easy wicket to bat on. We knew it would be challenging on today's tricky surface. We stuck to our plans, and I'm delighted to reach the final for the second time here in Nepal. I have a feeling we will be playing them in the final on Saturday.'

A massive mix-up between Martin Guptill and Faf du Plessis led to Guptill's run-out, leaving Biratnagar Kings reeling at 3 for 3 inside the opening two overs. Faf du Plessis attempted to steady the innings from one end, but wickets continued to tumble at the other. After his dismissal-having contributed a resilient 36 off 29 balls with one six and three boundaries-the collapse turned into one-way traffic. The Kings' assistant coach reflected, 'Last time we defeated them by a similar margin, and today we faced the same fate. Cricket is a game of taking it one ball at a time. We will analyze this performance and come back stronger in the next match.' Abinash Bohara claimed two wickets to move to the top of the wicket-taking chart. Harmeet Singh also picked up two, while Hemant Dhami removed Faf du Plessis with a catch at deep point as the batter attempted a heave over cow corner but only managed a leading edge. Sudurpaschim Royals, missing their in-form Australian duo Chris Lynn and Josh Brown, replaced them with Mukhtar Ahmed and Sheldon Jackson in the top order. However, the pair contributed only 10 and 20 runs respectively.

Binod Bhandari played a composed and invaluable innings, scoring 63 off 52 deliveries with three fours and two sixes. His measured knock earned him the Player of the Match award along with the trophy. Aarif Sheikh provided late impetus with a lively 20 off 13 balls, lifting the Royals to a competitive 155/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Bhandari scored his second half-century of the tournament, taking his total to 264 runs, making him one of the hightest run-scorers. Marchant de Lange and Pratis GC took two wickets apiece for the Kings, while Sam Heazlett and Surya Tamang chipped in with one each. In tomorrow's eliminator, the Lumbini Lions will take on Kathmandu Gorkhas under the lights at the TU Cricket Stadium.