- Andre Russell's 52 runs and four wickets led Biratnagar Kings to a thrilling two-run victory over Janakpur Bolts on Tuesday.
- Lumbini Lions moved top of the table with an eight-wicket win over Pokhara Avengers, chasing 98 in just 11.4 overs.
- Ruben Trumpelmann and Rohit Paudel starred for Lumbini, while Pokhara remains at the bottom of the standings after their third straight loss.
Kathmandu: Andre Russell produced a match-winning all-round performance as Biratnagar Kings edged past Janakpur Bolts by two runs in a thrilling Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026 encounter on Tuesday.
Russell scored an unbeaten half-century before taking four wickets, including the decisive breakthrough in the final over, to secure the victory for Biratnagar.
Chasing 175 at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Janakpur finished on 172 for seven in their 20 overs.
Needing 13 runs from the final over, Janakpur lost captain Harmeet Singh for a duck on the second delivery. Saif Hassan kept the chase alive with aggressive batting, but Russell held his nerve.
With three runs required off the final ball, Saif attempted to clear the boundary but was caught by Basir Ahmed at deep midwicket, handing Biratnagar a narrow victory.
Saif top-scored for Janakpur with 71 off 48 balls, including two fours and five sixes. Vishal Sushling contributed 43 off 30 balls as the pair added 76 runs for the fourth wicket. Jimmy Neesham also scored 27 off 15 deliveries, but Janakpur fell just short.
Earlier, Biratnagar posted 174 for three after being asked to bat first. Following the early dismissal of opener Shehan Jayasuriya for one, Lokesh Bam and Imran Sheikh put together a 107-run partnership for the second wicket.
Lokesh scored 50 off 40 balls, while Imran made 56 off 45 deliveries. Russell provided the late acceleration with an unbeaten 52 off 29 balls, including two fours and five sixes, as Biratnagar scored 62 runs in the final five overs.
With the ball, Russell claimed four wickets for 45 runs in his four overs. Angelo Mathews took two wickets, while Rupesh Singh claimed one. Russell was named Player of the Match for his all-round contribution.
Speaking after the match, Russell said he was confident of defending even 10 runs in the final over and credited his success to executing his plans under pressure.
He also praised the standard of Nepali cricket, saying the country had plenty of talented players, making national team selection challenging. Impressed by the hospitality of local players and the enthusiasm of supporters, he expressed his desire to return for another season of the NPL.
Lumbini Beat Pokhara by Eight Wickets to Move Top
In Tuesday's other match, Lumbini Lions defeated Pokhara Avengers by eight wickets, chasing down a target of 98 in just 11.4 overs to move to the top of the points table.
Lumbini lost opener Aasif Sheikh to a run-out for seven before D'Arcy Short departed for 13 off six balls, leaving the team at 21 for two after two overs. Captain Rohit Paudel and Niroshan Dickwella then guided the chase with an unbeaten 50-run partnership for the third wicket.
Rohit remained unbeaten on 47 off 32 balls, including three fours and three sixes, while Dickwella contributed 27 not out off 26 deliveries.
Earlier, Pokhara struggled against Lumbini's bowling attack after being asked to bat first, managing only 97 for nine in 20 overs.
Arjun Kumal was dismissed for a duck on the second ball, while Sadira Samarawickrama (7) and Bipin Acharya (1) also fell cheaply. Captain Kushal Bhurtel managed 14 off 20 balls, and Shakib Al Hasan scored just three off eight deliveries as Pokhara slipped to 31 for five.
Chamika Karunaratne offered some resistance with 25 off 17 balls, including two sixes. Kiran Thagunna added 12, while Mehedi Hasan contributed 13.
Ruben Trumpelmann led Lumbini's bowling attack with three wickets for 16 runs in four overs. Tilak Bhandari claimed two wickets, while Sher Malla, Abhishek Gautam and Rohit Paudel took one each. Trumpelmann was named Player of the Match.
The victory took Lumbini to five points from three matches, having won two games and shared a point after their other match was abandoned due to rain.
Biratnagar moved to four points from four matches following their win over Janakpur, while Pokhara remained at the bottom without a point after suffering their third consecutive defeat.
