NPL: Sudurpaschim Royals secure fourth straight victory, move closer to playoffs

Kathmandu: Former runners-up Sudurpaschim Royals have moved closer to securing a playoff spot after registering their fourth consecutive win in the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) cricket tournament being held in the capital. Sudurpaschim defeated Lumbini Lions by seven wickets.

Chasing a target of 144 runs set by Lumbini, Sudurpaschim reached 145 for the loss of three wickets in 18.2 overs. Opening batsman Binod Bhandari scored an unbeaten 69, while Arif Sheikh contributed 37 runs. After Sudurpaschim lost two wickets for 39 runs, Binod and Sheikh built a crucial 99-run partnership to secure the win. Binod was declared Player of the Match.

Earlier, Lumbini, who batted first after losing the toss at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur, were all out for 143 in 19.4 overs. Captain Rohit Poudel scored 35, while Dilip Nath added 31 runs. For Sudurpaschim, Abhinash Bohara and Harmit Singh took three wickets each, while Hemant Dhami claimed two.

Sudurpaschim, led by Dipendra Singh Airi, sits at the top of the table with eight points from four consecutive victories. Lumbini, captained by Rohit Kumar Poudel, has won only one of its four matches and sits sixth with two points. Lumbini now faces increased pressure to win all three remaining games to keep their playoff hopes alive.