Sudurpaschim defend 120 against Janakpur for a third win in a row

Sudurpaschim Royals beat Janakpur Bolts by 27 runs on Tuesday at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. It was Match 21 of NPL Season 3, and Sudurpaschim's third win in a row.

Sudurpaschim and Kathmandu Gorkhas both have 8 points, and Kathmandu are top on net run rate. Janakpur have 4 points from six games, with one left.

An earlier version of this story said, from The Kathmandu Post, that Sudurpaschim and Kathmandu were through to the playoffs. On 12 November, Khabarhub and Nepal News reported Lumbini Lions as the first team to qualify, so we've taken that out.

Harmeet's four for 17

Sudurpaschim won the toss and chose to bat. Harmeet Singh, Janakpur's captain, played for Sudurpaschim in the last two seasons, the Post says. He took four for 17 in his four overs. Harry Tector, in his first game of the season, took one for 9 from four.

Sudurpaschim were 56 for 4 in the 10th over. Brandon McMullen made 33 off 23, with two sixes, and Tharindu Ratnayake 27 not out off 28. They finished on 120 for 9.

Janakpur all out for 93

Janakpur were 25 for 3 in the fifth over, with two wickets for Scott Kuggeleijn. Trit Raj Das made 21 before he was run out, and Bishal Susling was run out too. Janakpur were 47 for 6 in the 12th over.

Jimmy Neesham made 20 off 25 before Kuggeleijn got him as well. Janakpur were all out for 93 in 19.5 overs.

Kuggeleijn took three for 13. Dipendra Singh Airee went for 15 in his four overs and took a wicket.

Kuggeleijn was player of the match.

The scorecard and the points table are on the match page.