Defending champions Lumbini Lions began their title defence in the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) with a dominant seven-wicket victory over Sudurpaschim Royals at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground on Monday.
Chasing a modest target of 88 runs, Lumbini reached 91-3 in just 9.5 overs, winning the match with 61 balls to spare.
Opener D’Arcy Short led the chase with an explosive 40 off just 18 balls, striking four fours and three sixes. He shared a 71-run opening partnership with Aasif Sheikh to put Lumbini firmly in control.
Aasif contributed 32 runs before being dismissed, while Niroshan Dickwella was bowled for seven. Shamim Hossain scored one, and captain Rohit Paudel remained unbeaten on five as Lumbini completed the chase comfortably.
Anil Kharel took two wickets for Sudurpaschim, while captain Dipendra Singh Airee claimed one.
Earlier, Sudurpaschim Royals were bowled out for 87 in 17.2 overs after being sent in to bat.
Lumbini’s bowling attack proved too strong for the Royals, with Kishor Mahato claiming four wickets and Sher Malla taking three. Paudel, Tilak Bhandari and Shadley van Schalkwyk picked up one wicket each.
Sudurpaschim captain Airee was the top scorer with 27 runs off 23 balls, including two fours. Saif Zaib scored 13, while Binod Bhandari made nine and Ishan Pandey contributed seven.
Brandon McMullen scored two, while Sherfane Rutherford managed just one. Scott Kuggeleijn, Aarif Sheikh and Hemant Dhami failed to score.
Anil Kharel remained unbeaten on 17, but the Royals could not recover from their regular loss of wickets.
The match also marked the first use of the Decision Review System (DRS) in Nepal. Lumbini captain Paudel opted for a review after umpire’s call on an LBW appeal by Sher Malla on the final ball of the second over, but the review was unsuccessful.
Two matches are scheduled for Tuesday in the NPL. Biratnagar Kings will face Chitwan Rhinos at 12:30 pm, while Karnali Yaks will take on Janakpur Bolts at 5 pm.
The post NPL: Lumbini Lions crush Sudurpaschim Royals by seven wickets appeared first on OnlineKhabar English News.