With the playoff race heating up, four teams will compete in the Nepal Premier League on Wednesday at the TU International Cricket Ground. The first match features Janakpur Bolts against Sudurpaschim Royals, while Kathmandu Gurkhas will return to action after a five-day gap, facing Lumbini Lions in the second match.
Janakpur Bolts vs Sudurpaschim Royals
Janakpur Bolts have been dominant in the competition, boasting an unbeaten record with four wins in as many matches. Their last game saw them edge out Lumbini Lions by a single run, highlighting their ability to perform under pressure. Janakpur’s strength lies in their top-order batting featuring Anil Sah, Asif Sheikh, Lahiru Milantha, and Jimmy Neesham, supported by a potent spin attack led by Lalit Rajbanshi.
However, Janakpur’s vulnerability to early batting collapses, as seen against Lumbini, could be exploited by the pace duo of Scott Kuggeleijn and Brendon McMullen.
Sudurpaschim Royals, on the other hand, rely heavily on Saif Zaib and Dipendra Singh Airee for runs. Their spin attack, led by Naren Saud, has struggled due to lack of support, a key factor in their 33-run loss to Chitwan Rhinos. A win against Janakpur is crucial for the Royals to secure a top-two finish.
Probable Playing XI
Janakpur Bolts: Anil Sah, Asif Sheikh, Lahiru Milantha, Harsh Thaker, Jimmy Neesham, Subh Kansakar, Mohammad Moshin, Sher Malla, Hemant Dhami, Lalit Rajbanshi, Kishore Mahato.
Sudurpaschim Royals: Saif Zaib, Binod Bhandari, Brendon McMullen, Dilpreet Bajwa, Aarif Sheikh, Ishan Pandey, Dipendra Singh Airee, Naresh Budayair, Scott Kuggeleijn, Naren Saud, Abinash Bohara.
Kathmandu Gurkhas vs Lumbini Lions
Kathmandu Gurkhas return after a disappointing start to their NPL campaign, with just one win from three matches. Their last outing saw them collapse to 94 all out against Sudurpaschim Royals.
Kathmandu’s batting has been their biggest problem, with players like Michael Levitt and Stephen Eskinazi failing to convert starts into big scores. Domestic batter Bhim Sharki, with his international and franchise experience, will be crucial in turning their fortunes.
Lumbini Lions, despite a poor campaign, have been carried by captain Rohit Paudel, the tournament’s leading run-scorer. However, their bowling has been underwhelming, and with Durgesh Gupta’s fitness in doubt, they face an uphill task.
Probable Playing XI
Kathmandu Gurkhas: Michael Levitt, Shankar Rana, Stephen Eskinazi, Bhim Sharki, Gerhard Erasmus, Sumit Maharjan, Rashid Khan, Pratik Shrestha, Karan KC, Dipesh Kandel, Shahab Alam.
Lumbini Lions: Arun Saud, Ashutosh Ghiraiya, Unmukt Chand, Rohit Paudel, Tom Moores, Saad Bin Zafar, Sundeep Jora, Bibek Yadav, Ramon Simmonds, Abhishesh Gautam, Tilak Bhandari.
Where To Watch
Fans can watch all the action live on Star Sports globally, Fancode in India, Dish Home Go OTT in Nepal, and Action Sports’ YouTube channel in Nepal.
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