Sudurpashchim secure their third consecutive win

 

With a brilliant all-round performance from Dipendra Singh Airee, Sudurpashchim Royals registered their third consecutive victory in the second Nepal Premier League (NPL).

Sudurpashchim defeated Karnali Yaks by 45 runs today. In a low-scoring contest, Dipendra starred with 39 runs and 4 wickets, leading his team to a dominant win.

Chasing a target of 140 runs, Karnali were bowled out for 94 runs in 19.2 overs—the lowest total by any team in the ongoing league so far.

Despite having a modest target, Karnali made a poor start. In their previous two matches, their foreign batters had been their biggest strength, but in this match, all four overseas players from the top to the fourth position were dismissed cheaply.

Sudurpashchim’s bowlers restricted Karnali to 33 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in the first powerplay.

Priyank Panchal was dismissed for a duck by Dipendra. Dipendra then claimed another big wicket—Mark Watt, who had scored a century in the previous match against Lumbini. He trapped Watt LBW for 17 runs, leaving Karnali at just 21.

Soon after, William Bissett was dismissed for 3 runs by Hemant Dhami, and Najibullah Zadran fell for just 1 run off Dipendra’s bowling. Pawan Sarraf joined Sompal Kami to stabilize the innings. Karnali were 60/4 after 10 overs, needing 80 runs from the final 10 overs.

Sompal and Pawan added 34 runs for the fifth wicket. Sompal fell for 14 runs, caught and bowled by Harmit Singh. Soon after, Pawan departed for 27 runs off Avinash Bohara’s bowling, and at the end of the 13th over, Karnali were at 77 runs.

The responsibility then fell on Gulsan Jha, but he too was bowled for 13 runs by Dipendra. At 81/7, Sudurpashchim firmly controlled the match.

Immediately after, Nandan Yadav was caught for 1 run off Scott’s bowling by substitute fielder Deepak Bohara. With 30 balls remaining and 56 runs needed with just two wickets left, Karnali were on the brink of defeat.

The ninth wicket was taken by Harmit, trapping Yuvraj Khatri LBW for a duck.

Dipendra produced an outstanding bowling spell, taking 4 wickets for 32 runs in 4 overs. Harmit also bowled brilliantly, delivering 1 maiden and picking 2 wickets for 19 runs in 4 overs.

Earlier, Karnali had won the toss and elected to field, sending Sudurpashchim to bat first. Sudurpashchim scored 139 runs for 9 wickets in 20 overs.

Karnali captain Sompal Kami opened the bowling and started superbly with a wicket-maiden, dismissing opener Jas Brown for a golden duck on the very first ball of the innings.

After that, the other opener Binod Bhandari was dismissed for 11 runs, trapped LBW by Bipin Sharma. With both openers gone, Sudurpashchim had managed only 23 runs. They struggled in the first powerplay, scoring just 27 runs for the loss of 2 wickets, making a weak start.

Karnali continued to apply pressure. In the eighth over, Yuvraj Khatri claimed the crucial wicket of Chris Lynn, who scored 18 runs off 20 balls before being caught by William Bissett.

In the very next over, Ishan Pandey was run out for just 2 runs. At 46 runs, Sudurpashchim had already lost 4 wickets, and by the end of 10 overs, they were restricted to just 53 runs.

Both the top and middle order failed to deliver, and no stable partnerships were formed. Aarif Sheikh was bowled by Nandan Yadav after scoring 27 runs off 25 balls, including 3 fours. At 73 runs, Sudurpashchim lost their fifth wicket.

Karnali then picked up wickets consistently between the 17th and 19th overs. Harmit Singh, who had joined Dipendra at the crease, added a crucial 48-run partnership for the sixth wicket before being dismissed. Harmit scored 19 runs before being bowled by Sompal Kami.

In the following over, Mark Watt took the big wicket of Dipendra Singh Airee, who made 39 runs off 28 balls with 1 four and 2 sixes. Soon after, Naren Saud was out hit-wicket off Sompal’s bowling without scoring; while batting on the back foot, his leg accidentally dislodged the bails.

Immediately after, Scott Kuggeleijn was dismissed for 10 runs by Nandan. Hemant Dhami and Avinash Bohara remained unbeaten on 1 run each.

With the ball, Sompal Kami delivered a strong performance, taking 3 wickets for 32 runs in 4 overs. Nandan Yadav took 2 wickets, while Mark Watt, Bipin Sharma, and Yuvraj Khatri claimed 1 wicket each.

With this victory, Sudurpashchim have earned 6 points from 3 matches. For Karnali, this is their second loss in three games, and they remain on 2 points.

Earlier today, in the first match, Biratnagar Kings defeated defending champions Janakpur by 9 runs in a thrilling low-scoring contest, registering their second consecutive win.

Janakpur, however, have failed to open their account even after two matches. Tomorrow, Kathmandu Gorkhas will face Lumbini Lions.