Player of the Match in 6 consecutive matches

KATHMANDU: In the initial phase of the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), the domestic players have left a great impression.

The performance of Nepali players is in no way inferior to that of foreign stars bought at a high price.

Whether it is the rain of sixes and fours in batting or the competition of taking down the opposition’s wicket in bowling, Nepali players have performed impressively in the initial phase of the tournament.

After the completion of the first 6 matches of the tournament, there was a happy coincidence. Nepali players have been named the Player of the Match in all 6 matches.

Nepali players have won individual awards for their outstanding performance amidst the experience of foreign players and international recognition.

Likewise, Dipendra Singh Airee, Rahul Yadav and Sompal Kami were declared the player of the match, followed by Kamal Singh Airee and Yunish Bikram Singh Thakuri in the third.

Nepali bowlers won the award in the first three matches and after that, the batting and all-round performance made the Nepali players the best.

This is not only a coincidence, but also an important indication given by the initial performance of the tournament. Nepali players are not only in the role of filling the place in the team, but are also taking the responsibility of changing the outcome of the game.

In the first match of the NPL, Sher Malla of Lumbini Lions took three wickets for just 11 runs in four overs against Sudurpaschim Royals. Due to his economical bowling, Sudurpaschim was bowled out for 87 runs. Malla’s performance was decisive as Lumbini won easily.

In the second match, Kamal Singh Airee of Chitwan Rhinos took four wickets against Biratnagar Kings. He conceded 26 runs in four overs. At the end of the innings of Biratnagar, he took consecutive wickets and turned the match in Chitwan’s favor. Chitwan won the match by eight runs.

In the third match, Karnali Yaks’ Yunish Bikram Singh Thakuri took three important wickets for 22 runs in four overs against Janakpur Bolts. His bowling played an important role in restricting Janakpur to 113 runs.

Karnali won the match by 19 runs. In the fourth match, Dipendra Singh Airee, who contributed with both batting and bowling, was the best.

Against Pokhara Avengers, he scored an unbeaten 51 off 36 balls and took one wicket in bowling. Sudurpaschim chased down a target of 146 runs and won by 6 wickets.

In the fifth match, young bowler Rahul Yadav of Janakpur Bolts took four wickets for 31 runs in four overs against Kathmandu Gorkhas. Kathmandu was bowled out for 115 runs. Rahul’s bowling was decisive as Janakpur won by eight wickets.

In the sixth match, Karnali Yaks captain Sompal Kami gave an even better all-round performance. After taking four wickets against Biratnagar Kings, he scored an unbeaten 62 runs in batting.

In a thrilling match, Karnali won the target of 187 runs by four wickets with one ball to spare. In this way, the foreign player has not had the turn of the man of the match.

TAG_OPEN_strong_92 Lokesh Bam tops batting

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Nepali players are not lagging behind in batting as they have made an impact in bowling.

Biratnagar Kings’ Lokesh Bam is at the top of the list of highest run-scorers after the first 6 matches of the tournament.

Lokesh scored 87 runs in 52 balls against Karnali Yaks. His innings included three fours and nine sixes. He batted aggressively and took Biratnagar to a strong total of 186 runs.

Although Biratnagar lost wickets in the beginning, Lokesh took over the innings. He created pressure on the opposition bowlers and rained sixes. His innings showed the importance of a batter who can score runs at a fast pace in T20 cricket.

However, Biratnagar could not win the match despite their best performance individually. Karnali chased a tough target and won.

Lokesh’s innings and Sompal’s all-round performance in the same match shows how Nepali players are competing with both bat and ball in the NPL.

Dipendra Singh Airee of Sudurpaschim Royals is second in the list of highest run-scorers after Lokesh. He has scored 78 runs in two matches. Foreign player Moin Ali of Janakpur is in the third place with 77 runs, while Ariful Islam of Karnali is in the top five with 75 runs and Pawan Sarraf is in the top five with 73 runs.

So far, only 5 half-centuries have been scored in 6 matches. Out of these, two half-centuries are in the name of 3 foreign players.

The first half-century of the tournament was scored by Dawid Malan of Chinawan Rhinos. In the match against Biratnagar Kings, he scored 70 runs in 50 balls.

Dipendra Singh Airee of Sudurpaschim Province, Moeen Ali of Janakpur Bolts, Lokesh Bam of Biratnagar Kings and Sompal Kami of Karnali Yaks were the other top scorers to score half-centuries.

Lokesh (87 runs) has the highest score in a single match. He is also the one who has hit the most sixes so far. Lokesh hit 10 sixes in 2 matches.

Rahul Yadav’s bowling

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Rahul Yadav, the new talent of Janakpur Bolts, has been seen as the most influential Nepali player in bowling.

After the first 6 matches of the tournament, he is at the top of the list with 6 wickets.

This player, who was found in the talent hunt, showed his ability by taking four wickets against Kathmandu Gorkhas. In both matches, he has set a new record by taking wickets in his first ball.

It is an encouraging sign for Nepali cricket to perform decisively against the opposition team in a tournament like NPL at the age of 16.

Sompal Kami of Karnali Yaks and Anil Kharel of Sudur Paschim are the highest wicket-takers in the list with five wickets each.

Harmeet Singh of Janakpur and Kishor Mahato of Lumbini took four wickets each.

Nepali bowlers are dominating at the top. Nepali bowlers have not only stopped the opposition from scoring runs, but have also shown the ability to take regular wickets.

Sompal Kami’s unforgettable performance

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The sixth match of the NPL was special for Nepali cricket lovers.

Karnali Yaks captain Sompal Kami took four wickets in bowling to restrict Biratnagar to 186 runs. After that, Karnali was on the verge of defeat by losing five wickets for 57 runs.

In such a situation, Sompal took responsibility. He scored an unbeaten 62 runs in 32 balls. His innings included four fours and three sixes. He batted aggressively and took Karnali out of the brink of defeat and victory.

He dismissed Biratnagar’s important batsmen like Lokesh Bam, Angelo Mathews, Andre Russell and Charith Asalanka.

The role of an all-rounder is very important in T20 cricket. When one aspect of the game is weak, a player who can contribute from the other side can help the team win. Sompal played this role.

Nepal’s confidence among foreign stars

In this edition, famous international cricketers like David Warner, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Angelo Mathews and David Miller are involved. Their presence has increased the attraction of the NPL.

But the first 6 matches of the tournament showed that the name and experience of foreign players alone does not determine the outcome of the match. However, since the tournament has just started, it cannot be concluded right now.

Nepali players should continue this performance, so that if we also have international level players, the message will go to the world. In the future, the demand for Nepali players in the leagues to be held in other countries may increase.