Lumbini Lions displayed impressive bowling to restrict Janakpur Bolts to 136 runs in the 14th match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground, Kirtipur on Sunday.

After winning the toss, Janakpur Bolts chose to bat first, posting 136 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs. Their top scorers included Anil Kumar Sah (46 off 39 balls), Lahiru Milantha (24 off 23), Shubh Kansakar (22 not out), and Aasif Sheikh (16 off 10). However, the Bolts faced a dramatic collapse, losing 6 wickets for just 15 runs.

For the Lions, Abhishesh Gautam was the standout bowler, taking 3 key wickets in a single over, dismissing Lahiru Milantha, Harsh Thaker, and James Neesham while conceding 20 runs. Captain Rohit Paudel also delivered a stellar performance, claiming 2 wickets in one over, removing Mohammad Mohsin and Sher Malla. Saad Zafar excelled in the final over, dismissing Hemanta Dhami and Lalit Rajbanshi, while Sundeep Jora took the prized wicket of Bolts’ captain, Anil Kumar Sah.

The disciplined bowling effort instilled a hope in the Lions that the team may prevail going into the second innings.