Biratnagar Chases 192-Run Target for Thrilling 2-Wicket Win in NPL
In the Nepal Premier League (NPL), Biratnagar has chased the highest target so far. After chasing a huge target of 192 runs, Biratnagar secured a 2-wicket victory with one ball remaining.
In their win, Lokesh Bam, Basir Ahmad, and Martin Guptill played excellent innings, with Chris Sole being the decisive player for the team.
While chasing the massive target, Lokesh Bam played a brilliant innings of 71 runs. He hit 3 fours and 6 sixes off 46 balls. Similarly, Basir Ahmad made 40 runs, hitting 4 fours and 1 six off 23 balls.
The pair shared a partnership of 77 runs for the fifth wicket. Martin Guptill also contributed with 28 runs, hitting 6 fours.
Thrilling Final Over
In the final over, with Biratnagar needing 15 runs, Lumbini’s Vivek Yadav came to bowl. He bowled two wide balls initially and got Sandeep out on the first ball. Then, Chris Sole, who came to the crease, played the first ball solidly and hit a six on the next ball, bringing the team to a position where they needed 7 runs from 3 balls. He hit a four on the next ball, reducing the required runs to 3 from 2 balls. Sole hit another four on the next ball, securing the win for his team before the last ball.
He remained unbeaten with 14 runs off 4 balls, including 2 fours and 1 six. He was the hero who led the team to victory.
Highest Target of the Tournament
Earlier, Lumbini Lions, batting first, set a high target of 192 runs for Biratnagar Kings. This was the highest target of the ongoing league, breaking the previous record of 182 runs set by Sudurpashchim Royals against Biratnagar.
Batting first after losing the toss, Lumbini made 191 runs, losing 7 wickets in their 20 overs. Captain Rohit Paudel was the top scorer for Lumbini, making 46 runs off 29 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Tom Moores scored 30 runs off 17 balls, while Vivek Yadav played a explosive knock of 19 runs off 7 balls. Sad Bin Jaffer made 15 runs, and they also received 28 extra runs.
Openers Asutosh Ghiraiya and Arjun Saud contributed with 15 and 17 runs, respectively. For Biratnagar, Sandeep Lamichhane, Ismat Alam, and Rajesh Pulami took one wicket each, while four players were run out.