Janakpur Keep Faint Playoff Hopes Alive With Win Over Chitwan

The defending champions Janakpur Bolts claimed their first win of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) season two, defeating the Chitwan Rhinos by six wickets on Tuesday, December 2.

Janakpur chased down the 177-run target in 17.3 overs, powered by half-centuries from Maaz Sadaqat and Anil Sah. Sadaqat struck six fours and four sixes in a brisk 63 off 30 balls. Sah, who came in at No. 3, hit 61 off 36 balls, including four fours and three sixes.

Sah, named Player of the Match, had endured a poor run of form. He had been dropped for the previous fixture, with Wayne Parnell taking over the captaincy. Parnell continued to lead the side on Tuesday.

Opener Aasif Sheikh made 18 off 18 balls after sharing a 45-run opening stand. Aaditya Mahata sealed the win in style. He hit a six, a two and a four off the first three balls of the 18th over and finished unbeaten on 18 off 7.

Only three of Chitwan’s eight bowlers managed to strike. Sohail Tanvir, Kamal Airee and Amar Routela took one wicket each. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton was run out for 11 off 9 balls. Sanjay Krishnamurthi remained not out on 5.

Despite the win, Janakpur’s chances of reaching the playoffs remain slim. They moved one spot up from the bottom of the table. Chitwan, with two wins from five matches, remain fourth.

Karnali Yaks, placed sixth with one win in five matches, and Pokhara Avengers, at the bottom with one win in four, paly in the day’s second fixture.

Sudurpaschim Royals top the table as the only unbeaten side this season. They have already secured a playoff berth with 10 points. Kathmandu Gorkhas and Biratnagar Kings, both on eight points, sit second and third on net run rate. The Royals and the Kings have played five matches each while the Gorkhas have played six.

Earlier, after electing to bat, Chitwan posted 176 for 4. Openers David Malan and Arjun Saud powered them with a 112-run stand. Malan struck 80 off 54 balls. Saud made 52 off 39. Kushal Malla added a late 30 off 14.

Janakpur were sloppy in the field and dropped several catches. Sah, Rupesh Singh, Sadaqat and Loftie-Eaton claimed one wicket each.