Biratnagar has surpassed Kathmandu in net run rate by defeating Sudurpaschim in 11.5 overs and will now face Sudurpaschim in Qualifier 1.
What you should know
Biratnagar Kings defeated Sudurpaschim Royals by 6 wickets and reached Qualifier 1 of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) cricket after Sam Hazlett and Faf du Plessis added 97 runs in 7 overs.
Sudurpaschim, who were invited to bat after winning the toss at the Tribhuvan University Cricket International Stadium Kirtipur, scored 147 runs in 20 overs for the loss of 6 wickets. Biratnagar had to achieve this target in 13.4 overs. Biratnagar achieved it in 11.5 overs.
Sudurpaschim had already reached Qualifier 1 with 12 points. Biratnagar and Kathmandu Gorkhas have the same 10 points, but after a resounding victory over Sudurpaschim, Biratnagar has surpassed Kathmandu in net run rate.
Sudurpaschim and Biratnagar will play in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday to secure a place in the final. Kathmandu will play Lumbini Lions in the playoffs on Wednesday.
Biratnagar had made its objective clear by scoring 126 runs in 10 overs for the loss of 2 wickets. Biratnagar scored 87 runs in the first 6 overs. This is the highest score in the NPL in the power play. Pokhara Avengers scored 80 runs in the first 6 overs against Lumbini Lions last year.
Du Plessis was dismissed for 50 runs in 19 balls. This is the second-lowest half-century in the NPL. Last year, Jimmy Neesam of Janakpur Bolts scored a half-century in 18 balls against Chitwan Rhinos. In the same tournament, Kathmandu's Bhim Sarki scored a half-century in 19 balls against Pokhara and Sudurpaschim's Harmit Singh scored a half-century in 19 balls against Kathmandu.
Du Plessis hit 4 fours and a six in a single over against Sudurpaschim captain Deependra Singh Airi. He hit a total of 5 fours and 4 sixes. Hazlett scored 51 runs in 27 balls. He hit 3 fours and 4 sixes.
Martin Guptill was run out for 22 runs in 9 balls after hitting 3 sixes. Bashir Ahmed was out for 8 runs. Biratnagar achieved the target in 12 overs after Pratish GC hit Avinash Bohra for two consecutive sixes. Biratnagar remained unbeaten on 13 runs in 3 balls and Lokesh Bam on 3 runs in 4 balls. Sudurpaschim's Avinash and Harmit took 1 wicket each.
Earlier, Arif Sheikh and Ishan Pandey had put on a 72-run partnership and Sudurpaschim, who were invited to bat after losing the toss, scored 147 runs in 20 overs for the loss of 6 wickets. Sudurpaschim managed to overcome the difficult challenge after Arif and Ishan put on a solid partnership in 50 balls. After opener Binod Bhandari was dismissed for 15 off 13 balls with 3 fours and Jas Brown for 24 off 25 balls with 1 four and 2 sixes, Arif and Ishan made a crucial partnership for the third wicket.
Ishan scored 38 off 35 balls. He also hit 2 fours and a six. Arif remained unbeaten on 45 runs. He hit 1 four and 3 sixes in 32 balls. After Harmit Singh was dismissed in the first ball, captain Deependra Singh Airi scored 19 runs in 11 balls and hit 2 sixes.
Deepak Bohra was dismissed for 3 runs in 3 balls. Sandeep took 3 wickets from Biratnagar. He spent 20 runs in 4 overs. Pratish GC, who bowled only the last over, took 2 wickets for 4 runs. Bashir had 1 wicket left.
