KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 2
Anil Sah smashed an unbeaten 62 runs to lead Janakpur Bolts to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Karnali Yaks in the Nepal Premier League match held at the TU Cricket Ground on Monday.
Chasing a target of 143, Sah and Aasif Sheikh set the tone with a formidable 84-run opening partnership, paving the way to achieve the target with 29 balls to spare. Sah's knock came off 42 balls, featuring six fours and three sixes, while Sheikh contributed 36 runs off 29 balls, including two fours and two sixes.
Sri Lankan batter Lahiru Milantha added a quickfire 24 off 13 balls, striking two boundaries and two sixes.
Karnali Yaks' bowlers Zeeshan Maqsood and Mousom Dhakal managed to pick up a wicket each but failed to contain the Bolts' relentless batting.
Earlier, the Yaks opted to bat first after winning the toss on a sunny afternoon but managed a modest total of 142/7 in their allotted 20 overs. A large crowd had gathered at the ground, hoping to witness a stellar performance from Indian cricket legend Shikhar Dhawan. However, Dhawan was bowled by Harsh Thaker in the fifth over, leaving the Yaks at 21/2.
Following Dhawan's dismissal, the Yaks struggled to recover, losing wickets at regular intervals and slumping to 79/6 by the 14th over. Gulshan Jha offered some resistance with a 36-run knock off 27 balls, including a boundary and three sixes, before being bowled by Kishore Mahato.
A late flourish came through a 62-run partnership between Arjun Gharti and skipper Sompal Kami for the seventh wicket. Gharti scored 33 off 22 balls, striking two fours and two sixes, while Kami remained unbeaten on 29 off 13 balls, with three boundaries and a six.
For the Bolts, Mohammad Mohsin claimed two wickets, while Kishore Mahato, Lalit Rajbanshi, Harsh Thaker, and James Neesham each took one wicket to restrict the Yaks to a below-par total.
This emphatic win marked the second consecutive triumph for Janakpur Bolts, showcasing their dominance in the tournament.
Janakpur Bolts skipper Ani Sah was later adjudged man-of-the-match for his match winning performance.
In the post-match conference, Bolts' skipper Sah said, "I'm happy to have guided the team to victory. While it wasn't a big target, it was a tricky chase, and the plan was to bat through the innings. We trusted our bowlers' strengths, stuck to the basics, and executed well. I'm also looking forward to learning a lot from Jimmy Neesham as the tournament progresses."
In tomorrow's first fixture, the Sudurpaschim Royals will face the Biratnagar Kings, followed by the Chitwan Rhinos taking on the Pokhara Avengers in the day's second match.
