Lumbini Lions defeated South African star Faf du Plessis-led Biratnagar Kings by 5 wickets in a Nepal Premier League (NPL) cricket match on Wednesday, courtesy a brilliant half-century from D'RC Shott.

Lumbini achieved the target of 145 runs in 17.4 overs at the Tribhuvan University Cricket International Ground, Kirtipur, after Shot scored 57 runs off 44 balls. Lumbini has kept its hopes of reaching the playoffs alive with its third win in six matches. Lumbini is currently in fourth place.

Lumbini will only be safe in the playoffs if they defeat Janakpur Bolts in their final match. This is Biratnagar's second defeat in six matches. Biratnagar, currently in third place with 8 points, will play its final match against Sudurpaschim Royals on Saturday.

Australian batter Shot played a key role in Lumbini's victory by hitting 6 fours and 2 sixes. This is his first half-century in the tournament. He and Niroshan Dickwella shared a crucial partnership of 46 runs off 24 balls.

Shot and Sumit Maharjan gave Lumbini a good start by adding 29 runs in the first 4 overs. But in the fifth over, Subash Bhandari tried to bring Biratnagar back into the game by dismissing Sumit Maharjan for 10 and captain Rohit Poudel for zero. Subash, who stumped Sumit, got Rohit out with a brilliant catch from du Plessis.

Sandeep Jora also played an important innings of 24 runs. He hit 3 fours and 1 six in 15 balls. Dilip Nath was out for 16 runs in 12 balls and hit 2 fours. He was out when Lumbini needed 3 runs to win. Dickwella remained unbeaten on 29 and Sher Malla on 1 run. Dickwella hit 2 fours and 1 six in 22 balls.

From Biratnagar, Subash scored 30 in 4 overs, captain Sandeep Lamichhane took 2 wickets in 4 overs, 2 wickets in 20 runs, and Bashir Ahmed took 1 wicket.

Earlier, Biratnagar, who were invited to bat after losing the toss, could only score 144 runs in the stipulated 20 overs for the loss of 8 wickets. Du Plessis, who was playing his first match in the NPL, could only score 12 runs. He hit 2 fours in 9 balls before being stumped by wicketkeeper Dickwella by Abhishek Gautam. Lumbini had already made a great start to the match. In the second ball of the match, Sher dismissed George Mansi LBW for nil.

Lokesh Bam, who came in at number three after Faf opened the innings, scored the highest 35 runs for Biratnagar. Lokesh, who hit 2 fours and a six in 42 balls, was cut and bowled by JJ Smith. Sam Hazlett scored 27 runs. He hit 1 four and 2 sixes in 20 balls.