Shehan Jayasuriya
Lokesh Bahadur Bam
Imran Sheikh
Andre Russell✱
Shubham Ranjane✱
Moeen Ali
Lalit Rajbanshi
Harmeet Singh
Rahul Yadav
Jimmy Neesham
Trit Raj Das
Saif Hassan
Anil Sah
Bishal Shusling
Angelo Mathews
Rupesh Singh
Aprajit Poudel
In a heart‑stopping climax at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Biratnagar Kings survived a fierce chase to beat Janakpur Bolts by just two runs. With the crowd on the edge of their seats, Imran Sheikh’s blistering 56 off 45 balls turned the tide, ensuring the Kings held on for a thrilling Biratnagar Kings vs Janakpur Bolts T20 victory.
Match Summary
The toss saw Janakpur Bolts win and elect to bowl, hoping to exploit the partly sunny conditions and low humidity (49%) at Kirtipur. The Kings opened with a steady partnership, but it was Lokesh Bahadur Bam’s elegant 50 off 40 that set the platform. Imran Sheikh followed with a calculated assault, rattling the Bolts’ bowlers for 56 runs in 45 balls, propelling Biratnagar Kings to a competitive Biratnagar Kings T20 score of 174‑3 in their allotted 20 overs.
Janakpur Bolts responded with vigor. Saif Hassan led the chase, blasting 71 off 48 balls, while the middle order added crucial runs. Despite Angelo Mathews’ disciplined spell of 2/25 in three overs and Rupesh Singh’s tidy 1/21, the Bolts fell agonisingly short at 172‑7, just two runs shy of the target.
Key Performances
Imran Sheikh (Biratnagar Kings) – 56 runs off 45 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes. His aggressive intent in the middle overs broke the Bolts’ momentum and kept the required run‑rate in check.
Lokesh Bahadur Bam (Biratnagar Kings) – 50 runs off 40 balls, a classy blend of timing and placement that anchored the innings.
Moeen Ali (Biratnagar Kings) – 1/13 in 2 overs, delivering crucial breakthroughs at the death and keeping the run‑rate low.
Saif Hassan (Janakpur Bolts) – 71 runs off 48 balls, the top scorer for the Bolts, showcasing power hitting and resilience.
Angelo Mathews (Janakpur Bolts) – 2/25 in 3 overs, a steady hand that kept the Kings’ scoring in check during the middle phase.
Rupesh Singh (Janakpur Bolts) – 1/21 in 2 overs, providing early pressure but unable to stem the flow of runs.
Turning Points
The first major turning point arrived when Imran Sheikh struck a six off a length ball from Mathews in the 12th over, shifting the momentum firmly towards the Kings. The second decisive moment came in the 17th over when Moeen Ali dismissed the Bolts’ set batsman with a well‑timed yorker, triggering a mini‑collapse that saw the required runs climb sharply.
Weather played a subtle role; the partly sunny skies and a modest temperature of 23.9 °C meant the pitch stayed true, favouring both batters and bowlers. The 4 % chance of rain never materialised, allowing a full 20‑over contest.
Series Implications
With this win, Biratnagar Kings improve their standing in the Nepal Premier League 2026, narrowing the gap on the table and sending a strong message to rivals. The narrow margin underscores the competitive nature of the league, where every run counts. Janakpur Bolts, despite the loss, demonstrated depth in their batting line‑up, especially through Saif Hassan’s innings, suggesting they remain a threat in upcoming fixtures.
Looking ahead, the Kings will aim to capitalize on their momentum, while the Bolts will regroup and tweak their bowling strategies, particularly in the death overs. Fans can expect more edge‑of‑the‑seat action as the tournament progresses, with the Nepal Premier League 2026 live score updates promising more drama.