Kathmandu, Dec 21: Janakpur Bolts emerged as the champions of the inaugural Nepal Premier League (NPL) T20 Cricket Tournament, defeating Sudurpaschim Royals by five wickets in a thrilling final held at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur today.

Sudurpaschim Royals set a target of 185 runs, posting 184/9 in their 20 overs. Janakpur Bolts successfully chased down the target, reaching 185/5 in 19.2 overs.

Openers Lahiru Milantha and Aasif Sheikh were pivotal in the victory, forming a solid 73-run partnership. Milantha played a match-winning knock of 87 runs off 49 balls, including four sixes and nine fours. Aasif Sheikh contributed a quickfire 33 runs off 19 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes.

Harsh Thaker added 30 runs in 24 balls, including two sixes, while Mohammad Mohsin scored 9, James Neesham 4, and Aakash Tripathi and Mayan Yadav added 2 runs each.

For Sudurpaschim Royals, Saif Zaib (1/33), Ishan Pandey (1/30), Dipendra Singh Airee (1/35), and Scott Kuggeleijn (1/42) claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, electing to bat first after winning the toss, Sudurpaschim Royals put up a competitive total of 184/9 in their allotted 20 overs. The opening partnership of Saif Zaib and Binod Bhandari was key, with the duo adding 117 runs. Zaib top-scored with 69 runs off 43 balls, including eight fours and two sixes, while Bhandari contributed 41 runs from 31 balls, hitting one four and three sixes.

Brandon McMullen and Harmeet Singh each made 14 runs, and Scott Kuggeleijn chipped in with 13 runs. The other batsmen failed to make significant contributions.

Janakpur Bolts’ bowlers were outstanding, with Mohammad Mohsin and Kishore Mahato claiming three wickets each, while James Neesham and Lalit Rajbanshi took one wicket each.

As champions, Janakpur Bolts earned a cash prize of Rs 11 million along with the trophy, while the runner-up Sudurpaschim Royals received Rs 5.1 million. The third-place team won Rs 2.5 million, and the fourth-place team received Rs 1.5 million, according to the Cricket Association of Nepal.

This victory marks a historic achievement for Janakpur Bolts in the first edition of NPL, adding to the excitement and success of the tournament.