KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 5
Sudur Paschim Royals secured their second victory in the ongoing Nepal Premier League (NPL) by defeating the Kathmandu Gurkhas in the second match held today at the Tribhuvan University (TU) Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
Chasing a target of 168 runs set by SPR, the Gurkhas were bowled out for 94 runs in 15.5 overs. Stephen Eskinazi was the top scorer for Gurkhas with 37 runs off 33 balls, including one six and five boundaries.
Sumit Maharjan added 14 runs, while Bhim Sarki and Gerhard Erasmus each contributed 10 runs. Pratik Shrestha scored eight, Michael Levitt made five, and the remaining batsmen struggled to reach double digits. The team also benefited from two extra runs.
Naren Saud was the standout bowler for SPR, taking five wickets. Abinash Bohora picked up two, while Brandon McMullen and Saif Zaib claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, SPR, sent in to bat after losing the toss, posted a competitive total of 167 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Brandon McMullen played a crucial innings, scoring 54 runs off 36 balls with four sixes and three boundaries.
Captain Dipendra Singh Airee added 42 runs off 25 balls, including two sixes and three fours. Binod Bhandari contributed 35 runs, while Saif Zaib and Rohan Mustafa chipped in with 11 and four runs, respectively.
Later, Naren Saud was declared man-of-the-match for his impressive bowling spell of 3.5-0-19-5.
For the Gurkhas, Rashid Khan took two wickets, while Gerhard Erasmus, Shahab Alam, and captain Karan KC claimed one each.
This marks SPR's second win in the tournament, following their 90-run triumph over the Biratnagar Kings. Meanwhile, the Kathmandu Gurkhas faced their second defeat, having won only one of their three matches so far.
In tomorrow's fixture, Karnali Yaks face Chitwan Rhinos in the first match, while Lumbini Lions go up against Pokhara Avengers in the day's second fixture.
