Janakpur Bolts and Karnali Yaks secured notable victories in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 3 matches held on Thursday at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kathmandu.

Defending champions Janakpur Bolts clinched an eight-wicket win over Kathmandu Gorkhas, marking their first victory of the season. The Bolts’ success was largely driven by 17-year-old pacer Rahul Yadav, who took four wickets for 31 runs in his four overs, helping bowl Kathmandu out for 115 in 19.3 overs. Yadav, who joined the team after emerging from a talent hunt in Madhesh Province, has impressed in his early professional outings, having previously taken two wickets on debut against Karnali Yaks.

Kathmandu Gorkhas’ batting lineup struggled throughout the innings, with Bhim Sharki top-scoring with 33 runs off 29 balls. Other contributors included Rashid Khan (17) and Smit Patel (13), while captain Karan KC managed just eight runs from 18 deliveries. The team failed to build significant partnerships, leaving them with a below-par total.

In response, Janakpur initially found scoring difficult against disciplined bowling by Shahab Alam and Harishankar Shah. After losing opener Mayam Yadav for nine runs early in the innings, the team reached 55 for 2 in 10 overs, briefly opening a potential window for a Kathmandu comeback. However, Moeen Ali and Saif Hassan consolidated the chase with an unbeaten 79-run partnership for the third wicket. Moeen led the way with a measured 58 from 51 balls, including three sixes and fours, while Saif remained unbeaten on 40 runs off 39 deliveries.

Ali noted the importance of adapting to the pitch conditions and highlighted a recent extended training session as key to his improved performance. He also praised Rahul Yadav’s talent, predicting a promising future for the young pacer.

Kathmandu Gorkhas Cricket Director Sharad Vesawkar acknowledged the team’s batting shortcomings, conceding that Janakpur played better on the day and that his side fell short by about 10 runs.

In a separate match, Karnali Yaks secured their second consecutive NPL win by narrowly defeating Biratnagar Kings by four wickets. Chasing a competitive target of 187, Karnali reached 188 for 6 with six balls to spare, led by captain Sompal Kami’s unbeaten 61 off 32 balls. Kami’s innings featured four boundaries and three sixes and was bolstered by a vital 64-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Gulshan Jha, who contributed a quick 28 runs from 21 balls.

Karnali’s chase was set up by strong starts from the top order, with Ariful Islam scoring 32 off 12 balls, Pawan Sarraf hitting 36 off 28 deliveries, and Deepak Dumre adding 20 runs off 11 balls. Biratnagar’s attack was led by Sri Lankan international Angelo Mathews, who took three wickets for 33 runs. Other wickets for Biratnagar came from Charith Asalanka, Pratis GC, and captain Sandeep Lamichhane.

Earlier, Biratnagar posted the highest total in the tournament thus far by reaching 186 for 6. Opener Lokesh Bam powered the innings with an aggressive 87 off 52 balls, including nine sixes. Bam’s innings benefitted from early reprieves—a dropped catch off Kami’s bowling and a successful DRS review for a close leg-before-wicket call on 48. He eventually fell to Kami in the 16th over. Bam’s partnership with Angelo Mathews, who scored 31 off 23 balls, helped stabilize the innings before Mathews was dismissed by Kami.

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell contributed a late acceleration with 27 runs off 15 balls, supported by Shehan Jayasuriya and Basir Ahmad’s lower-order contributions of 11 and 13 runs, respectively.

Sompal Kami was the standout bowler for Karnali, finishing with impressive figures of four wickets for 33 runs, including a maiden over. Scottish spinner Mark Watt also claimed a wicket in the Biratnagar innings.

The victories keep Janakpur and Karnali in strong form as the Nepal Premier League progresses through its third season.