The clash between Sudurpaschim Royals and Janakpur Bolts on Wednesday (December 18) will confirm the first-ever finalists of the inaugural Nepal Premier League (NPL). Watch the NPL 2024, Qualifier 1 match live. (More Cricket News)
Led by mercurial all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee, the Royals have dominated the NPL, winning all but one in the league stage. One more win and they will make history as the first finalists of NPL.
At Kirtipur's picturesque Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, they will take on the Bolts in Qualifier 1. The Bolts, with local talent Anil Sah leading the charge, have finished second in the league stage with five wins in seven wins.
NPL 2024 League Stage Points Table
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR |
| 1 | Sudurpaschim Royals | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2.087 |
| 2 | Janakpur Bolts | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0.164 |
| 3 | Chitwan Rhinos | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 0.634 |
| 4 | Karnali Yaks | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 8 | -0.184 |
| 5 | Kathmandu Gurkhas | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 8 | -0.321 |
| 6 | Biratnagar Kings | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 4 | -0.703 |
| 7 | Pokhara Avengers | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 4 | -1.332 |
| 8 | Lumbini Lions | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 2 | -0.498 |
The two teams met in match 18 of the regular season and the Royals completed a massive 72-run win after posting 123/9. Player of the match Ishan Pandey scored 17 runs off 14 before taking two wickets for 11 runs. Royals opener Binod Bhandari (33 off 37) was the top scorer while Kishore Mahato, representing Bolts, claimed a four-wicket haul (4/35).
The losers of the Qualifier 1 will have another chance to make the final, via Qualifier 2 where they will meet the winners of Eliminator between Chitwan Rhinos vs Karnali Yaks, the third and fourth-placed teams.
Here's all you need to know about the Rhinos vs Yaks match
Sudurpaschim Royals vs Janakpur Bolts, NPL Qualifier 1 details
Date: December 18, 2024 (Wednesday)
Time: 1:15 PM IST (1:00 PM local time)
Venue: Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
How to watch Janakpur Bolts vs Sudurpaschim Royals, NPL T20 match?
The live streaming of Nepal Premier League 2024 is available on FanCode in India. In Nepal, the hugely popular T20 cricket league is available on Dish Home Media Network and Action Sports HD.
Star Sports Network is the official broadcaster of the NPL, and matches are shown live on its Star Sports Select channels. In the USA and Canada, NPL matches can be watched live on Willow TV.
Sudurpaschim Royals vs Janakpur Bolts squads
Sudurpaschim Royals: Dipendra Singh Airee (c), Binod Bhandari (wk), Bhoj Raj Bhatta, Dilpreet Bajwa, Abinash Bohara, Khadak Bohora, Basant Khatri, Arjun Kumal, Scott Kuggeleijn, Brandon McMullen, Ishan Pandey, Naren Saud, Aarif Sheikh, Amit Shrestha, Harmeet Singh, Saif Zaib.
Janakpur Bolts: Anil Sah (c & wk), Hemant Dhami, Shubh Kansakar, Kishore Mahato, Sher Malla, Lahiru Milantha (wk), Ben Mike, Mohammad Mohsin, James Neesham, Lalit Rajbanshi, Rupesh Singh, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Bishal Shusling, Tul Thapa, Harsh Thaker, Aakash Tripathi, Joshua Tromp, Arniko Yadav.
