Sudurpaschim Royals defeated Biratnagar Kings by 90 runs in the fourth match of the ongoing Nepal Premier League match at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, on Tuesday.

Put to bat first, Sudurpaschim set a 183-run target against Biratnagar and bowled them out for 92 runs in 16.1 overs.

Chasing a target, Biratnagar’s innings got off to a disastrous start, losing Martin Guptill for a duck in the first over. Lokesh Bam (2) and Nicholas Kirton (5) followed cheaply, leaving the team reeling at 11-3.

Rajesh Pulami (15) and Basir Ahamad (24) offered some resistance, but regular wickets kept the Kings under pressure. Abinash Bohara’s impressive spell (3-17) and Scott Kuggeleijn’s triple strike (3-30) dismantled the middle and lower order.

Earlier, despite early setbacks, the Royals set a challenging target, largely due to Captain Dipendra Singh Airee’s brilliant knock of 57 not out from just 24 balls, which included three fours and five sixes.

The innings began on a shaky note, with the Royals losing Amit Shrestha (1) early, caught by Martin Guptill off Ismat Alam in the second over. Binod Bhandari (23) and Brandon McMullen (36) steadied the ship, but both fell to Anil Kharel, with Bhandari caught by Pratis GC and Brandon McMullen dismissed similarly. Aarif Sheikh (9) and Saif Zaib (14) also departed quickly, as the Royals struggled at 69-4 by the 11th over.

However, Airee’s aggressive stroke play turned the game in favour of the Royals. His rapid-fire innings included a flurry of boundaries and sixes, providing the necessary acceleration in the latter stages. Ishan Pandey (21) also contributed to the cause before being run out.

Scott Kuggeleijn (10) and Basant Khatri (4) added brief cameos, but it was Airee who took charge, guiding the Royals to a competitive total. The Royals finished their innings at 182-7.