Dipendra, Sandeep star as Sudurpaschim and Biratnagar make three wins in a row

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Nov 24, 2025

Nepali cricket stars Dipendra Singh Airee and Sandeep Lamichhane lit up the Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Monday as both captains delivered match-winning four-wicket hauls despite losing the toss, guiding Sudurpaschim and Biratnagar to their third straight victories and keeping their unbeaten runs intact.

Both matches featured totals below 140, but disciplined bowling from Dipendra and Sandeep turned modest targets into defendable ones.

Unsurprisingly, both were named Player of the Match in their respective games. Biratnagar Kings produced a thrilling nine-run win over Janakpur Bolts, defending a modest total with a brilliant bowling performance led by captain Sandeep.

He conceded only 11 runs from four overs and dismantled Janakpur’s chase with four crucial wickets. His first over saw the dismissal of opposing captain Anil Sah, followed by Lahiru Milantha in his next. Returning for the 18th over, Sandeep struck twice in two balls to remove Rupesh Singh and Sangeeth Cooray, narrowly missing a hat-trick but effectively sealing Biratnagar’s third consecutive victory.

Reflecting on the win, Sandeep said he was enjoying a successful campaign after a difficult previous season, adding that conditions were favourable for bowlers.

In the second match, Sudurpaschim Royals overcame a shaky start to post 139 after being asked to bat first. Their top order faltered early, but Dipendra steadied the innings with a vital 39 off 28 balls before returning with the ball to deliver a sensational four-wicket spell that dismantled Karnali Yaks for just 94 with four balls to spare.

His early breakthroughs included both openers; stumping out Priyank Panchal for a duck and trapping in-form centurion Mark Watt leg-before after being hit for two sixes. He dismissed Afghan batter Najibullah Zadran inside the powerplay and later bowled the dangerous Gulshan Jha to complete his four-for, sealing Sudurpaschim’s third win and lifting them to the top of the table on net run rate.

He praised his side’s ability to adapt to match situations and said their hat-trick of wins had put pressure on other teams in the playoff race. Both matches featured bowler-friendly surfaces, with spinners enjoying notable assistance. A combined 35 wickets fell across the day.

With six points each, Sudurpaschim and Biratnagar now sit comfortably in the top two spots, four points ahead of their closest challengers.

Nepali cricket fans could hardly have asked for a better day: two matches, two wins for Nepali-led sides, and two standout performances from national team stalwarts who reminded everyone of their class