KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 21
The Sudurpaschim Royals extended their congratulations to Janakpur Bolts for clinching the inaugural Nepal Premier League (NPL) trophy in a thrilling encounter today.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Royals coach Jagat Tamata acknowledged the Bolts' superior performance. "Janakpur Bolts played better than us to lift the trophy-there's no doubt about it," he remarked. "I believe Nepal cricket as a whole has emerged victorious today, thanks to the Nepal Premier League. Cricket has triumphed, and so has Nepal cricket," he added with a solemn smile.
When asked about his team's middle-order collapse despite the strong start provided by the openers, Tamata admitted, "Yes, we lost too many wickets at the backend of the innings, trying to clear the boundary ropes. That's cricket-it works in your favor some days and doesn't on others. Today, Janakpur Bolts outplayed us in all departments. They are worthy champions."
Tamata also praised Lahiru Milantha's game-changing innings, stating, "You cannot overlook the brilliance of Lahiru Milantha. The way he batted, the outcome was bound to go in one direction. He played an extraordinary innings, anchoring their chase to perfection."
When asked when he felt the game was slipping away, Tamata said, "We were obviously 10-15 runs short. The decisive phase was between overs 16 to 20, where we lost momentum and ultimately the match."
The Royals' coach expressed gratitude to the ground staff for their efforts. "They prepared an exceptional pitch-a true treat for the crowd-despite having only one day off. It was a perfect track for a high-stakes final," he shared.
Looking ahead, Tamata remained optimistic, vowing to return stronger in future tournaments. "I want to thank the Cricket Association of Nepal for organizing such a fantastic event. We'll learn from this and come back better in the days to come," he concluded.
