Biratnagar Kings Beat Sudurpashchim Royals in Reduced NPL Match

Biratnagar Kings secured a 35-run win against Sudurpashchim Royals in a heavily reduced Nepal Premier League fixture at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground. Following severe rain disruptions, umpires truncated the contest to just five overs for each side. Ground staff performed extensive work on the outfield to make play possible. Sudurpashchim captain Dipendra Singh Airee won the toss and chose to bowl first. However, the match suffered significant delays prior to the start. Sudurpashchim players and management initially refused to play, voicing disagreements over player safety, a wet outfield, and the decision to shorten the boundary near the Red Bull zone. Apart from Binod Bhandari, Sudurpashchim players temporarily walked off the field before long discussions resolved the dispute. Upon resumption, Biratnagar batted first and built a total of 105 runs for the loss of two wickets. Shehan Jayasuriya led the attack, scoring 39 runs from 11 balls, including two fours and five sixes, before falling in the third over. Lokesh Bam opened alongside Jayasuriya, while Sri Lankan spinner Tharindu Ratnayake made his NPL debut for Sudurpashchim by bowling the opening over. Chasing a target of 106 runs in five overs, Sudurpashchim Royals managed only 70 runs for two wickets in their allotted overs. Scott Kuggeleijn scored an unbeaten 28, while Saif Zaib and Aarif Sheikh both posted undefeated scores of 17. For Biratnagar, Russell took one wicket for eight runs in his two overs, an all-rounder claimed one wicket, and Jayasuriya contributed 29 not out alongside a catch.