Biratnagar Kings set a target of 136 runs for Janakpur Bolts in the Nepal Premier League match at TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur on Monday.

Put to bat first, Biratnagar lost George Munsey early for 10 runs in the third over, and the dismissal of Martin Guptill for 13 in the seventh over further slowed their attempt to build a partnership. Lokesh Bam played a measured knock of 28 runs off 26 before falling just before the halfway stage.

The innings stabilised slightly through the middle with a 52-run stand between Basir Ahamad and Shubham Ranjane. Ahamad’s 36 off 35 included three sixes, while Ranjane’s 37 off 29 helped Biratnagar reach 100 in the 16th over. But both fell in quick succession, triggering another collapse. Narayan Joshi, who came in at number six, managed only two. Marchant de Lange was run out for a duck in the 19th over, leaving the side short of a late push. Biratnagar scored only 40 runs in the last five overs, losing four wickets.

Janakpur’s bowling unit kept a tight line throughout. Sangeeth Cooray stood out with figures of two for 26 in four overs, striking early and maintaining pressure. Rupesh Singh delivered an effective spell, taking two for 12 from just two overs, including a crucial wicket in the death overs. Aaditya Mahata claimed one wicket. Lalit Rajbanshi was the most economical, conceding only 21 runs from his four overs.