Janakpur Bolts continued their strong start to the Nepal Premier League with a dominant 8-wicket victory over Karnali Yaks on Monday at the TU International Cricket Ground.
Karnali Yaks, surprising many with their decision to bat first, managed to post 141 runs — the highest first-innings total so far in the tournament. However, Janakpur comfortably chased it down in just 15.1 overs.
Yaks’ struggle and late surge
The Yaks innings got off to a shaky start as both openers departed early. Dev Khanal (1) was bowled by Lalit Rajbanshi, while Shikhar Dhawan, a crowd favorite, managed only 14 before being dismissed by Canadian spinner Harsh Thaker. The middle order failed to stabilize the innings, with Chadwick Walton (8), Babar Hayat (12), and Zeeshan Maqsood falling cheaply, the latter for a duck.
Gulshan Jha provided some momentum with a brisk 36 off 27 balls, including three sixes and a four. Despite his efforts, the Yaks continued to falter until the final two overs, where Sompal Kami and Arjun Gharti added an explosive 43 runs. Sompal, dropped by Anil Sah in the 19th over, made the Bolts pay with a quick-fire 29 off 13 balls, while Gharti contributed 33 off 22 deliveries, including two sixes and two boundaries.
For the Bolts, Mohammad Mohsin was the pick of the bowlers, returning impressive figures of 4-0-14-2. Lalit Rajbanshi, Harsh Thaker, Kishore Mahato, and James Neesham each claimed a wicket.
Anil Sah leads the chase
Chasing 142, Janakpur Bolts’ openers Anil Sah and Asif Sheikh set the tone with an 82-run stand. Asif fell for 36, but skipper Sah anchored the innings with an unbeaten 62 off 42 balls, featuring six boundaries and three sixes as the Bolts completed the chase in just 15.1 overs.
For Karnali, Mausam Dhakal and Zeeshan Maqsood claimed a wicket each, but their efforts were not enough to trouble Janakpur’s batting lineup.
Upcoming Fixture
Janakpur Bolts will face Pokhara Avengers on Thursday, while Karnali Yaks will look to bounce back against Kathmandu Gurkhas on Wednesday.
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