Sudurpaschim Royals produced a disciplined bowling performance to defeat Janakpur Bolts by 27 runs in a low-scoring Nepal Premier League match on Tuesday, confirming their place in the playoffs alongside Kathmandu Gorkhas.

After winning the toss and electing to bat at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Sudurpaschim managed 120 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, Janakpur were bowled out for 93 in 19.5 overs.

The victory took Sudurpaschim to eight points, while Kathmandu Gorkhas also have eight points. Kathmandu lead the standings on a superior net run rate. Sudurpaschim's victory was their third in a row.

Janakpur, who defeated Sudurpaschim in the final to win the inaugural edition of the tournament two years ago, are now in danger of missing the playoffs. They have four points from six matches, with only one fixture remaining.

Sudurpaschim's pace-bowling opening pair of Scott Kuggeleijn and Hemant Dhami put Janakpur under immense pressure during the first six overs.

Kuggeleijn dismissed the struggling Anil Sah for two, while Dhami removed Aaditya Mahata for 10.

Janakpur's batting line-up continued to crumble. Tritraj Das scored 21, Harry Tector made one, Ryan Burl eight, Bishal Sushling two, Jimmy Neesham 20, captain Harmeet Singh four, Abhishek Tiwari two and Rahul Yadav 11. Lalit Rajbanshi remained unbeaten on five.

Kuggeleijn was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for just 13 runs in his four overs.

Dipendra Singh Airee conceded only 15 runs in his four overs and claimed one wicket. Hemant, Anil Kharel, Ishan Pandey and Tharindu Ratnayake also took one wicket each.

Earlier, Janakpur captain Harmeet had produced an outstanding bowling performance to restrict Sudurpaschim to a modest total. Playing against his former team for the first time, Harmeet claimed four wickets for 17 runs in his four overs. He had represented Sudurpaschim in the previous two seasons and helped them reach the final on both occasions.

Irish all-rounder Tector, making his debut in the tournament, conceded just nine runs and took one wicket in his four overs. Aaditya, Abhishek and Rahul also claimed a wicket each.

Sudurpaschim suffered an early setback when opener Binod Bhandari was run out for 10 by a direct hit from Lalit Rajbanshi. Rahul then bowled the other opener, Saif Zaib, for 10.

Harmeet bowled Ishan Pandey for three before captain Dipendra Singh Airee was caught and bowled by Aaditya Mahata for one.

Brandon McMullen top-scored for Sudurpaschim with 33 off 23 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes.

Aarif Sheikh made 11 off 16 balls, including two fours, while Scott Kuggeleijn was dismissed for six. After removing Kuggeleijn, Harmeet struck twice in consecutive deliveries, dismissing Anil Kharel for three and Hemant Dhami for a duck.

Tharindu Ratnayake remained unbeaten on 27 off 28 balls, hitting one four and two sixes. Abinash Bohara was not out on two off two deliveries.