Biratnagar Kings posted a 145-run target against Lumbini Lions in the Nepal Premier League match at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur on Wednesday.

Lumbini chose to field and kept Biratnagar in check throughout, with left-arm seamer Sher Malla leading the attack with three wickets.

Biratnagar made a shaky start. George Munsey fell LBW for a duck in the second ball of the match, and Faf du Plessis lasted only nine deliveries before being stumped for 12 off Abhishesh Gautam. The Kings reached 34 for two inside the powerplay, unable to build early momentum.

Lokesh Bam anchored the innings with 35 off 42, but his slow scoring rate limited Biratnagar’s acceleration. He and Sam Heazlett added 50 runs for the third wicket, the only substantial partnership of the innings. Heazlett struck 27 off 20 with two sixes, but both batters departed in quick succession to hand control back to Lumbini.

Narayan Joshi and Pratis GC could not push the middle order forward, falling for five and 11 respectively. Basir Ahamad provided the only late spark with 28 off 19, hitting a six and a four, but he was caught at long-off in the 19th over off Ruben Trumpelmann.

The Kings managed only 48 runs in the final five overs, losing three wickets in that phase. Marchant de Lange finished unbeaten on 10 runs, while captain Sandeep Lamichhane struck a six off the only ball he faced, ending on six not out.

Malla finished with three for 25, while Trumpelmann, Johannes Jonathan Smit and Gautam took a wicket each.