Biratnagar Kings Secure First Win of NPL 2026
Biratnagar Kings defeated Sudurpaschim Royals by 35 runs in a rain-affected five-over match in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026 on Saturday. Andre Russell delivered an excellent all-round performance to help Biratnagar register their first victory of the season at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
After winning the toss, Sudurpaschim Royals captain Dipendra Singh Airee chose to bowl first. Biratnagar Kings took full advantage of the short match, scoring 105 runs for the loss of two wickets in five overs.
In reply, Sudurpaschim Royals managed 70 runs for three wickets in their five overs and fell short of the target by 35 runs.
Shehan Jayasuriya Leads Biratnagar's Explosive Batting
Shehan Jayasuriya was the leading scorer for Biratnagar Kings, smashing 39 runs off 11 balls. His innings included two fours and five sixes, putting the Royals' bowlers under immediate pressure.
Jayasuriya attacked from the first over, hitting debutant spinner Tharindu Ratnayake for five sixes. Biratnagar made a remarkable start, reaching 50 runs in just eight balls.
Lokesh Bam also played an important role, scoring 25 runs off 10 balls with one four and three sixes. He provided strong support at the top of the order before being dismissed on the final ball of the innings.
Andre Russell then continued the attack, scoring an unbeaten 29 runs off just 10 balls. His innings included two fours and three sixes, helping Biratnagar Kings cross the 100-run mark.
Biratnagar finished their innings at 105/2, setting Sudurpaschim Royals a target of 106 runs in just five overs.
Andre Russell Makes the Difference with Bat and Ball
Andre Russell was the standout performer of the match. After scoring an unbeaten 29 runs, he made an immediate impact with the ball.
Russell dismissed Sudurpaschim opener Sherfane Rutherford for a duck on the very first ball of the chase. The early breakthrough gave Biratnagar a strong start in defending their total.
Sudurpaschim captain Dipendra Singh Airee was dismissed for just one run in the second over, leaving the Royals under pressure at seven runs for two wickets.
Russell finished with bowling figures of one wicket for eight runs. He also took a catch in the field, completing an impressive all-round performance.
Angelo Mathews also contributed with the ball, taking one wicket while conceding 15 runs in one over.
Scott Kuggeleijn's Quickfire Innings Not Enough for Royals
Sudurpaschim Royals struggled after losing two early wickets, but Scott Kuggeleijn produced an explosive performance to keep their hopes alive.
Kuggeleijn remained unbeaten on 28 runs from just six balls, hitting four sixes and one four. His strike rate of 466.67 showed the power of his late attack.
Aarif Sheikh also remained unbeaten on 17 runs off eight balls, while Saif Zaib scored 17 runs off 10 balls, including two sixes.
Despite their efforts, Sudurpaschim could not maintain the required scoring rate. The Royals finished at 70/3 in five overs, giving Biratnagar Kings a convincing 35-run victory.
For Sudurpaschim, Abinash Bohara took one wicket for 28 runs in two overs during Biratnagar's innings.
Rain Delay Before the Match
The match was originally scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM on Saturday. However, rain left water on the outfield at the TU International Cricket Ground, delaying the start.
The delay continued into the evening as officials and team representatives discussed the playing conditions. After a lengthy wait, the teams eventually agreed to play a shortened five-over contest.
Once the match began, Biratnagar made the most of the limited overs with their powerful batting display.
What the Victory Means for Biratnagar Kings
The win gave Biratnagar Kings their first two points after three matches in the NPL 2026 season. Their strong batting performance and early wickets in the chase proved decisive.
Andre Russell's contribution in all three areas, along with Jayasuriya's explosive start and Lokesh Bam's quick runs, helped the Kings secure an important victory.
Sudurpaschim Royals showed some late resistance through Kuggeleijn and Aarif Sheikh, but their early losses proved too costly in the short chase.
Biratnagar Kings will look to build on this victory in their upcoming matches, while Sudurpaschim Royals will aim to recover from the defeat.
Match Summary
- Match: Biratnagar Kings vs Sudurpaschim Royals
- Tournament: Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026
- Venue: TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
- Biratnagar Kings: 105/2 in 5 overs
- Sudurpaschim Royals: 70/3 in 5 overs
- Result: Biratnagar Kings won by 35 runs
- Player to Watch: Andre Russell — 29* runs, 1 wicket and 1 catch