Sandeep Lamichhane delivers match-winning spell as Biratnagar defend 135 to seal a 9-run victory

Biratnagar Kings continued their impressive run in the Nepal Premier League 2025 with a gritty nine-run win over Janakpur Bolts in Match 9 at the TU International Cricket Ground on Monday.

In a contest dominated by disciplined bowling and pressure-driven moments, Biratnagar's attack—led superbly by Sandeep Lamichhane—held their nerve to defend what initially looked like a modest 135-run total.

Match 9·NPLT20 2025

OtherT20

JanakpurJAB

126/9(20 ov)

BiratnagarBIK

135/9(20 ov)

BIK won by 9 runs

Earlier, Janakpur Bolts elected to field first and made immediate inroads as George Munsey and Martin Guptill fell inside the powerplay. Lokesh Bam struck a steady 28 off 26 balls, anchoring the early overs before being dismissed in the eighth over with the Kings at 55 for 3. What followed was a crucial partnership between Shubham Ranjane and Basir Ahamad, who added stability and much-needed acceleration. Ranjane top-scored with an important 37 off 29 balls, mixing controlled aggression with smart strike rotation, while Basir contributed 36 from 35 deliveries. Their stand pushed Biratnagar towards a competitive total despite late wickets halting the momentum. The Kings eventually finished on 135 for 7 from their 20 overs.

Janakpur's chase began shakily, losing Lahiru Milantha and Aasif Sheikh inside the first three overs. The innings revived through a strong counterattacking effort from Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, whose 41 off 30 balls brought the Bolts back into the contest. His aggressive strokeplay against both pace and spin kept the required rate under control. However, regular wickets at the other end prevented Janakpur from building a substantial partnership, and the pressure steadily mounted.

The turning point arrived when Sandeep Lamichhane removed Loftie-Eaton at a crucial moment, breaking what appeared to be a match-defining innings. Lamichhane was exceptional throughout his spell, finishing with outstanding figures of 4 for 11 from four overs—the best bowling performance of the match and one of the standout spells of the season. His control, variation, and ability to strike at key phases kept Janakpur in check and ultimately swung the contest in Biratnagar's favour.

Despite a late push from the lower order, including an unbeaten five from Lalit Rajbanshi and a brief cameo from Kishor Mahato, Janakpur fell short at 126 for 9. Biratnagar's collective bowling effort, featuring disciplined overs from Surya Tamang, Pratis GC, and Naren Bhatta, ensured that pressure remained constant throughout the chase.

Sandeep Lamichhane's brilliant spell earned him the Player of the Match award, capping off a win that underlined Biratnagar Kings’ growing stature as one of the most balanced sides in the tournament. Janakpur Bolts, meanwhile, will regret the lack of meaningful partnerships despite being in positions to challenge, particularly during Loftie-Eaton’s aggressive knock.