Biratnagar Kings secured a dramatic two-run victory over Janakpur Bolts in the 12th match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on November 3.
In a thrilling contest that went down to the final overs, Andre Russell delivered an outstanding all-round performance, scoring an unbeaten half-century and taking four wickets to help Biratnagar defend their total of 174/3.
Andre Russell Leads Biratnagar's Batting Charge
Batting first, Biratnagar Kings posted 174/3 in their allotted 20 overs after recovering from an early wicket.
Imran Sheikh and Lokesh Bam played crucial roles in building the innings, producing a 107-run partnership for the second wicket.
Imran Sheikh scored 56 runs off 45 deliveries, while Lokesh Bam contributed 50 runs from 40 balls. Both batters provided the stability Biratnagar needed to build a competitive total.
Andre Russell then accelerated the scoring with an unbeaten 52 off just 29 deliveries, including five sixes and two fours. His powerful finishing helped Biratnagar reach 174/3.
Janakpur Bolts Fight Back in the Chase
Chasing 175 for victory, Janakpur Bolts fought hard but struggled to maintain the required scoring rate throughout the innings.
Saif Hassan led the chase with an impressive 71 off 48 balls, including five sixes and two fours. Bishal Shusling supported him with 43 runs from 30 deliveries.
James Neesham also contributed 27 runs off 15 balls, keeping Janakpur's hopes alive during the closing stages.
However, Biratnagar's bowling attack continued to apply pressure, preventing Janakpur from completing the chase.
Russell's Four-Wicket Haul Seals the Victory
After making an impact with the bat, Russell returned with the ball to deliver another important performance.
The West Indies all-rounder claimed four wickets for 45 runs in his four overs. Angelo Mathews also played a crucial role, taking two wickets for 25 runs in three overs.
Rupesh Singh picked up one wicket, while Biratnagar's bowlers successfully restricted Janakpur to 172/7 in 20 overs.
Full Match Scorecard
Biratnagar Kings – 174/3 (20 Overs)
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Shehan Jayasuriya | 1 | 3 |
| Lokesh Bam | 50 | 40 |
| Imran Sheikh | 56 | 45 |
| Andre Russell | 52* | 29 |
| Shubham Ranjane | 7* | 5 |
Janakpur Bolts – 172/7 (20 Overs)
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Moeen Ali | 10 | 14 |
| Trit Raj Das | 6 | 9 |
| Saif Hassan | 71 | 48 |
| Anil Sah | 0 | 2 |
| Bishal Shusling | 43 | 30 |
| James Neesham | 27 | 15 |
| Harmeet Singh | 0 | 1 |
| Abhishek Tiwari | 5* | 2 |
Key Bowling Performances
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Russell | 4 | 45 | 4 |
| Angelo Mathews | 3 | 25 | 2 |
| Rupesh Singh | 2 | 21 | 1 |
| Aprajit Poudel | 4 | 26 | 0 |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | 4 | 27 | 0 |
What This Victory Means for Biratnagar Kings
The two-run victory gives Biratnagar Kings an important result in their NPL 2026 campaign. Their ability to defend 174 against a competitive Janakpur batting lineup demonstrates the importance of disciplined bowling and contributions from multiple players.
For Janakpur Bolts, Saif Hassan's excellent half-century was not enough to secure victory. The narrow defeat will be a disappointing result for the team after coming so close to chasing the target.
What's Next in NPL 2026?
The action continues on November 3 with Lumbini Lions taking on Pokhara Avengers in the second match of the day at the TU International Cricket Ground.
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