Janakpur Bolts Dominate Kathmandu Gorkhas to Secure an 8-Wicket Win in NPL Season 3

KIRTIPUR, KATHMANDU — The Janakpur Bolts bounced back from their opening defeat in emphatic style on Thursday, delivering a dominant 8-wicket victory over the Kathmandu Gorkhas in the fifth match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 3 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground.

A spectacular bowling effort led by Rahul Yadav set up the win, restricting Kathmandu to a below-par score before English all-rounder Moeen Ali finished the job with a masterful half-century.

Yadav Dismantles the Gorkhas’ Lineup

Kathmandu Gorkhas’ captain KC Karan faced early trouble after opting to bat on a pitch that offered plenty of assistance to the bowlers. The Gorkhas struggled to build momentum and were bowled out for a modest 115 in 19.3 overs.

Bhim Sharki provided the only significant resistance for Kathmandu, top-scoring with a patient 33 off 29 deliveries. However, the rest of the batting lineup faltered under pressure. The standout performer for Janakpur was Rahul Yadav, who tore through the Gorkhas’ order with a blistering spell. He claimed four crucial wickets for just 31 runs in his four overs, completely derailing Kathmandu’s innings. Saif Hassan also provided excellent support, taking 2 for 11 and keeping the scoring rate choked.

Moeen Ali Anchors a Comfortable Chase

Chasing 116, the Janakpur Bolts lost two early wickets. Kathmandu briefly saw a glimmer of hope when Ripon Mondol dismissed Trit Raj Das (5). However, that hope was quickly extinguished as Moeen Ali took control of the crease.

The seasoned English international demonstrated his immense class and franchise experience, steering his team to victory with a composed, unbeaten 58 off 51 balls. The Bolts comfortably reached their target of 116 with 16 balls to spare, completing the chase at 116/2 in 17.2 overs.

This convincing victory allowed the Janakpur Bolts to open their account in the NPL 2026 season. Meanwhile, the Kathmandu Gorkhas will need to quickly address their batting woes as they look ahead to their next fixture in this highly competitive tournament.