KATHMANDU: The Sudurpaschim Royals set a target of 177 runs for the Karnali Yaks in the first match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) held on Friday. After being invited to bat first following a lost toss, the Royals posted 176 runs for the loss of 6 wickets within their allotted overs.
Openers Saif Zaib and Binod Bhandari provided a strong start, contributing 68 runs for the first wicket. Zaib scored 35 runs off 24 balls, hitting four boundaries and one six. Bhandari contributed 27 runs off 22 balls, including two sixes and two fours. Brandon McMullen, batting at number three, added 24 runs off 16 balls, featuring two fours and a six.
Captain Dipendra Singh Airee was dismissed for 10 runs after a run-out. Ishan Pandey, coming in at number five, scored 23 runs off 13 balls with three sixes, while Aarif Sheikh contributed 11 runs from 14 balls. Tharindu Ratnayake remained unbeaten on 22 runs off 12 balls, hitting three fours and one six, and Scott Kuggeleijn finished with an unbeaten 13 runs off 6 balls, including two fours.
For the Karnali Yaks, bowler Mark Watt claimed two wickets. Nandan Yadav, Hussain Talat, and Surya Tamang each took one wicket.
