Kathmandu: Biratnagar Kings and Sudurpaschim Royals continued their dominant run in the Nepal Premier League (NPL), each securing their third consecutive victory and strengthening their positions at the top of the points table.

Biratnagar Kings clinched a narrow nine-run win over Janakpur Bolts, powered by captain Sandeep Lamichhane’s exceptional bowling performance. Defending a modest target of 136 runs at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Biratnagar restricted Janakpur to 126 for nine in 20 overs.

Lamichhane led from the front with four wickets, while Surya Ramang claimed two and Marchant de Lange and Shubham Ranjane picked up one each. For Janakpur, Loftie Eaton top-scored with 41 runs.

Batting first after losing the toss, Biratnagar posted 135 for seven. Shubham Ranjane scored 37 off 29 balls, while Bashir Ahmad made 36 and Lokesh Bam added 28. Janakpur’s Rupesh Singh and Sangeeth Kure took two wickets each.

In the day-night fixture, Sudurpaschim Royals defeated Karnali Yaks by 45 runs, successfully defending a target of 140 runs. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee produced an all-round masterclass, scoring 39 off 28 balls and taking four wickets for 23 runs.

Karnali Yaks were bundled out for 94 in 19.2 overs. Pawan Saraf scored 27, while Mark Watt (17), skipper Sompal Kami (14), and Gulshan Jha (13) contributed but failed to build momentum. Alongside Airee’s four-wicket spell, Harmit Singh and Abhinash Bohra added two wickets each.

Earlier, Sudurpaschim posted 139 for nine, with Airee contributing 38 runs, followed by Aarif Sheikh (27) and Harmit Singh (19). For Karnali, captain Sompal Kami took three wickets, while Nandan Yadav grabbed two.

With this win, Sudurpaschim Royals and Biratnagar Kings both sit on six points, with Sudurpaschim ahead on net run rate. Karnali Yaks remain in sixth place with just two points from three matches.

Tomorrow, Kathmandu Gorkhas will take on Lumbini Lions at 4:00 pm at TU International Cricket Ground.