Sudurpaschim Royals set the target of 188 runs against Lumbini Lions in the first match of Saturday in their Nepal Premier League (NPL) encounter at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground, Kirtipur.

Losing the toss and sent to bat first, Sudurpaschim Royals scored 187 runs at the loss of 4 wickets in 20 overs.

Sudurpaschim with impressive batting from opener Sarif Ali Zaib 90 [off 61 balls] and Dipendra Singh Airee 39 [off 19 balls] demonstrated excellent game play.

Lumbini Lions’ Rohit Paudel broke the partnership of 49 runs by Royals’ openers Saif Ali Zaib and Binod Bhandari 17 [off 13 balls]. Royals fell off their second wicket in the 13th over with Brandon McMullen 23 [off 20 balls] taking the score to 106 runs. Bibek Yadav took the wicket.

Lions’ Ramon Simmonds took the much-needed two major wickets of opener Saif Ali Zaib and Aarif Sheikh in the 17th over.

The second game of the day pits Karnali Yaks against the Biratnagar Kings at 1.15 PM.