Sudurpaschim Royals set Biratnagar Kings a 148-run target in Saturday’s first Nepal Premier League (NPL) match at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

Having already secured a playoff berth and the top position in the league standings, Sudurpaschim were sent in to bat after losing the toss. They posted 147 for six in their allotted 20 overs, a total built on a key third-wicket stand between Ishan Pandey and Aarif Sheikh.

Aarif anchored the innings with an unbeaten 45 off 32 balls, hitting one four and three sixes. His 72-run partnership with Ishan proved crucial. Ishan made 38 from 35 deliveries, including two fours and two sixes.

Opener Josh Brown contributed 24 from 25 balls, while captain Dipendra Singh Airee added a brisk 19 off 11 with two sixes. Binod Bhandari struck 15 from 13 deliveries to keep the scoreboard moving.

Biratnagar’s bowlers produced an effective middle-overs spell. Captain Sandeep Lamichhane claimed three wickets for 20 runs in his four-over quota. Pratish GC, who bowled the final over, took two wickets for just four runs, while Basir Ahmed picked up one.

Both Sudurpaschim and Biratnagar have already qualified for the playoffs, but the outcome of this match will determine who faces Sudurpaschim in Qualifier 1.

Biratnagar must chase the target within 13 overs to leapfrog Kathmandu Gorkhas into second place.

Otherwise, Kathmandu will remain in the second spot and meet Sudurpaschim in the first qualifier.