A half-century from American batter Sanjay Krishnamurthi helped Janakpur Bolts post a competitive 145 runs in their Nepal Premier League (NPL) clash against table-toppers Sudurpashchim Royals at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Saturday.

Opting to bat first under new captain Wayne Parnell, Janakpur recovered from a shaky start to finish on 145–8 in the allotted 20 overs, powered by a late surge that yielded 78 runs in the final eight overs.

Krishnamurthi steadied the innings after the side slipped to 67–4 by the 12th over, striking 50 off 38 balls with four fours and two sixes. His assault on Dipendra Singh Airee in the 15th over—20 runs including two sixes and a four—was the highlight of the innings.

Krishnamurthi shared a 55-run fifth-wicket stand with Aditya Mahat, who contributed 15 off 13 deliveries. Parnell, the first overseas player to captain an NPL side, added 14 from 12 balls.

Janakpur struggled early on after Scott Kuggeleijn bowled Aasif Sheikh in the opening over and trapped Mayan Yadav LBW for 6. Opener Maaz Sadaqat made 12, while Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton scored a measured 39 off 33 balls.

Sudurpashchim’s Abinash Bohara brought his team back into the contest in the 18th over, removing both Krishnamurthi and Subash Khakurel off consecutive deliveries while conceding just two runs. He finished with 4–30 from four overs. Kuggeleijn supported with 3–22, while Airee picked up one wicket.

Janakpur, the defending champions, have endured a difficult campaign, losing their opening three matches and sidelining regular captain Anil Sah due to poor form.

Parnell—who struck an unbeaten half-century in his debut match earlier this week—was brought in to revive the side’s fortunes. Last season’s star Lahiru Milantha was also left out of the playing XI.

Aasif Sheikh, the team’s marquee wicketkeeper-batter and captain in much of last season’s title run, has not been assigned a leadership role this year. With only four matches remaining, Janakpur must win all of them to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Sudurpashchim, who defeated Janakpur in the previous edition’s final, remain unbeaten at the top of the table after four straight victories and fielded Milan Bohara in place of Naren Saud for this fixture.