NPL second qualifier: Yaks and Bolts eye final spot

KATHMANDU: Today's second qualifying match will pit Janakpur Bolts against Karnali Yaks for a spot in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) final. Both clubs' chances of winning the championship are eliminated after this game.

Karnali Yaks, the eliminator winner, will face Janakpur Bolts, who lost to Sudurpaschim Royals in the first qualifier. The winner of today’s game will move on to the final, where Sudurpaschim Royals await as the first qualifier victors.

This high-stakes encounter, which is set for 12:30 pm at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, provides Janakpur with a vital second opportunity. Janakpur have to defeat Karnali Yaks to maintain their title ambitions after losing to Sudurpaschim.

Janakpur's first qualifying match versus Sudurpaschim was challenging. The first-batting side, Janakpur, scored a decent 140 runs in 20 overs at a cost of nine wickets. Sudurpaschim answered with a strong showing, chasing down the goal in 18.3 overs with only two wickets lost.

Janakpur has continuously been beaten by Sudurpaschim Royals, both in the league and qualifying stages. To further demonstrate their superiority, Sudurpaschim defeated Janakpur by a commanding 72-run score in their previous league game.

This game is a chance for Karnali Yaks to continue the momentum they gained from defeating the Chitwan Rhinos in the elimination round. They will try to take advantage of Janakpur's weaknesses in order to guarantee their spot in the championship game.

An intriguing end to the NPL season is anticipated as today's qualifier will select the opponent for the Sudurpaschim Royals, who are already in the final.