Smit Patel
Sam Heazlett
Harishankar Shah
Rashid Khan
Bhim Sharki
Sumit Maharjan
Moeen Ali
Rahul Yadav
Saif Hassan
Harmeet Singh
Lalit Rajbanshi
Trit Raj Das
Mayan Yadav
Karan KC
Ripon Mondol
Jahandad Khan
Shahab Alam
In a nail‑biting finish under cloudy skies, Moeen Ali's 58 runs off 51 balls steered Janakpur Bolts to a two‑wicket triumph over Kathmandu Gurkhas at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. With just 17.2 overs to chase 116, the Bolts held their nerve, edging past a disciplined Gurkhas attack that had kept the scoreboard ticking with tight bowling.
Match Summary
The toss was won by Kathmandu Gurkhas (KMG) who elected to bat first on a slightly damp outfield. The Gurkhas got off to a shaky start, losing early wickets, but managed to post a modest total of 115 for 10 in 19.3 overs. Rahul Yadav was the pick of the bowlers for KMG, returning figures of 4/31 in four overs, while Saif Hassan added a tidy 2/11. Moeen Ali, the lone Gurkhas pacer, kept it economical with 1/23.
Janakpur Bolts (JKB) began their chase with a solid opening partnership, but the rain‑clouds loomed, keeping the fielders on edge. Ripon Mondol was the most effective bowler for the Bolts, conceding just 17 runs in three overs. The chase came down to the wire as JKB needed 9 runs off the final two balls, which they scraped through thanks to a boundary and a single, sealing a 116‑2 victory in 17.2 overs.
Key Performances
Moeen Ali (Janakpur Bolts) – 58 (51 balls): Ali’s innings was the cornerstone of the chase. He mixed aggression with composure, striking six fours and two sixes, and paced the innings perfectly to keep the required run‑rate under control.
Rahul Yadav (Kathmandu Gurkhas) – 4/31: Yadav’s spell was the most lethal for the Gurkhas, breaking crucial partnerships and keeping the Bolts at bay for most of the innings.
Saif Hassan (Kathmandu Gurkhas) – 2/11: Hassan’s tight lines in the middle overs restricted the Bolts to a low scoring rate, making the chase appear daunting.
Ripon Mondol (Janakpur Bolts) – 1/17: Mondol’s economical spell gave the Bolts breathing room after a shaky start, and his disciplined line prevented the Gurkhas from building a big total.
Turning Points
The first major turning point came when Rahul Yadav dismissed the Bolts’ opener early, putting KMG in a commanding position. However, the second turning point was Moeen Ali’s entry at 45‑2. Ali’s aggressive yet measured assault shifted the momentum, especially his 30‑run partnership with the number‑three batsman that steadied the chase.
Another decisive moment was the rain‑interrupted spell in the 15th over. The brief pause disrupted KMG’s bowling rhythm, allowing the Bolts to regroup and accelerate. Finally, the last over saw Ali and the tail‑ender sprint a single, a boundary, and a single – the exact runs needed to clinch the win.
Series Implications
This victory narrows the head‑to‑head gap to three wins for Kathmandu Gurkhas and one for Janakpur Bolts in the all‑time series. With the Nepal Premier League 2026 still in its early stages, the Bolts’ win injects fresh competition into the league table, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
For the Gurkhas, the loss is a reminder that defending low totals in Kirtipur’s unpredictable weather can be perilous. Their bowlers will look to fine‑tune death‑over strategies ahead of the next fixture, while the batting line‑up must address the early‑wicket collapses that cost them dearly.
Overall, the match delivered everything fans crave – tight bowling, a clutch chase, and a dramatic finish under looming rain clouds. The result also boosts the viewership numbers for the Nepal Premier League 2026 live score feeds, as fans across the country tune in for the next high‑octane encounter.