Sudurpaschim Royals have made a winning start in Nepal Premier League (NPL) cricket with captain Dipendrasingh Airi's fast half-century. Sudurpaschim defeated Biratnagar Kings by 90 runs on Tuesday.

Biratnagar University, which came with a target of 183 runs, was bowled out for 92 runs in 16.1 overs at Kirtipur. From Biratnagar, Bashir Ahmed played 28 balls with 2 fours and 24, Rajesh Pulami hit 1 six off 15 balls and scored 15 runs. In the lower order, Anil Kharel scored 10 runs unbeaten and Chris Soul scored 9 runs. Lokesh Bam was dismissed for 2 runs.

Scott Kugelein took 3 wickets for 30 runs in 4 overs. He bowled Martin Guptill for zero on the third ball of the innings and weakened the chances of Biratnagar reaching the target. Kugelein also dismissed Nicholas Kritan . Avinash Bohra spent only 17 runs in 3 overs and Brandon McMullen, Saif Zaib and Ishan Pandey took 1 wicket each.

Sudurpaschim, who was invited to bat after losing the toss, scored 182 runs after losing 7 wickets in the scheduled 20 overs. Dipendra scored an unbeaten 57 off 24 balls. He hit consecutive sixes in the last two balls of the innings. After Dipendra hit 3 sixes in the last over, South West added a total of 23 runs . Dipendra hit a total of 3 fours and 5 sixes.

After Dipendra and Ishan's aggressive batting, Sudoorpaschim made a good score even in the very difficult conditions of the morning. These two added 49 runs in 25 balls for the sixth wicket. Ishan scored 21 runs in 16 balls with 2 fours and 1 six and was run out. Opener Amit Shrestha was dismissed in 1 run from Sudurpaschim. He was dismissed by Ismat Alam. Another opener Vinod Bhandari played 20 balls and scored 23 runs with 3 fours. Arif Shaikh was dismissed for 9 runs. Kritan took a superb catch at cover off Basir and sent Arif back to the pavilion.