Despite a half-century from captain Dipendra Singh Airee, Sudurpaschim Royals managed only 125 for six in their allotted 20 overs, setting Kathmandu Gorkhas a target of 126 in the first match of Friday’s Nepal Premier League (NPL) double-header.

Batting first after losing the toss at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Sudurpaschim struggled to build momentum after losing four wickets for just eight runs. Airee top-scored with 60 off 55 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes.

Kathmandu made another sensational start with the ball. Scott Kuggeleijn, primarily a bowling all-rounder, opened the batting for Sudurpaschim but struck a six off the first ball of the innings. However, Pakistani fast bowler Jahandad Khan dismissed him on the fourth delivery to give Kathmandu their first breakthrough.

Left-arm spinner Santosh Yadav struck twice in the second over, dismissing Brandon McMullen, who was caught, before bowling Ishan Pandey. Neither batter managed to open their account.

Jahandad then trapped Binod Bhandari leg-before for one in the third over, leaving Sudurpaschim reeling at eight for four.

Airee steadied the innings with a 54-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Aarif Sheikh. Sheikh was run out for 16 off 25 balls, hitting one four.

Airee then added another 54 runs, this time with Tharindu Rathnayake, for the sixth wicket. His innings ended in the 19th over when he was dismissed by Jahandad.

Rathnayake remained unbeaten on 26 off 23 balls, including three fours, while Fabian Allen was not out on two.

For Kathmandu, Jahandad was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for 22 runs in four overs, including one maiden. Santosh claimed two wickets for 16 runs in his three overs.