1
1
1lb
1
1
1
= 6
Match Details
BK vs SPR, 8th T20, NPL 2026 summary
SPR
70-3(5.0)
Biratnagar Kings won by 35 runs 🏆
BK
(5.0)105-2
+
P'ship : 35(8)
Commentary
All
Highlights
Overs
W
6s
4s
Inn 1
Inn 2
Milestone
That's it from the coverage of this match, a proper dominance by the Biratnagar Kings to open their points tally, and the fans were treated with some outrageous cricketing action despite the rain hindering the most part of the day. And credit should be given to the groundsmen for getting the ground ready for the match to happen.
So, with this win, the Biratnagar Kings have finally managed to get past the winning mark and grab those two crucial points. Sudurpaschim Royals again lose their winning momentum and end up on the losing side. They need to regroup, reassess, and reanalyse their game plans before the next match. But the action in NPL 2026 continues, with Janakpur Bolts taking on Pokhara Avengers tomorrow in a lone match scheduled at 4:45 PM IST, 5 PM Local Time.
A rain-truncated fixture that got delayed and went way beyond the cut-off time. Just when everybody thought that the game wouldn't happen, it was announced that a five-over contest would take place. But one side, Sudurpaschim Royals, never wanted to play the game as they felt that the outfield was too soggy and not fit, which, frankly speaking, it was. However, the other side, Biratnagar Kings, was ready to have a match and the fans stayed back late for that. The threat from the officials that the points would not be shared forced Royals to take the field with a heavy heart.
However, it didn't matter as nothing went in their favour and they lost the game heavily by 35 runs. Their captain, Dipendra Singh Airee, will be absolutely livid with everybody tonight. Anyways, this game will be remembered for many wrong reasons and the organisers have given enough spicy fodder to media outlets to raise questions on the managing of the games at NPL.
However, it didn't matter as nothing went in their favour and they lost the game heavily by 35 runs. Their captain, Dipendra Singh Airee, will be absolutely livid with everybody tonight. Anyways, this game will be remembered for many wrong reasons and the organisers have given enough spicy fodder to media outlets to raise questions on the managing of the games at NPL.
Sandeep Lamichhane (Biratnagar Kings Captain): "(On the entire drama before the game) I guess there were so many people who voted for us to come and play this game. Groundsmen and everyone involved really worked hard to make this game happen. The final call, however, was taken by the committee and the officials. If they had asked us, we were always ready. Our team was prepared to play. There are definitely several areas where we can improve, perhaps as a tournament or as a whole. But that's how things are, so yeah.
(On his team being always ready to play the game) It's not that we were desperate to come and play because we had lost two games and would have lost everything if this match hadn't happened. If you think about it that way, I'd say that's bullshit. But I guess it's a game of cricket. Both teams should come out and play. If the conditions are suitable, you should enjoy the game and give the crowd something to cheer about. The spectators had been here the whole day and were passionate about watching this match. Everyone involved, including the ground staff who prepared the venue, deserved to see us play. The ground staff did a phenomenal job. They even made the boundaries smaller, which, of course, is a nightmare for the bowlers, but it was the same for both teams.
(On his side's performance) Yeah, of course. If you look at an off-spinner bowling to a left-handed batter, both players must be familiar with each other. Shahan actually gave us a great start today. We made some tactical changes, and he was up for the challenge. It was really good to see the way he stepped up, accepted the challenge and went out there. He was in explosive form tonight. That was followed by Lokesh and Dre Russ. It was a brilliant first innings of cricket. Then, with the ball, the way Dre Russ started and bowled the third over, followed by Matthews, Rupesh and Pratis, I think we were brilliant as a team. It was a really good performance.
(On the defeat in the last two games) See, even when we lost those two games, I still believed that our opponents hadn't snatched the victories away from us. We were the ones who needed to take responsibility because we didn't play well or finish well on those respective days. But I guess that's the beauty of cricket. Sometimes you're up, sometimes you're down. That's why we call it such a great game. It teaches you a lot. At the end of the day, cricket isn't over, and you have to come back stronger and make a good comeback. Don't give up on anything. As I always say, keep moving forward and keep a smile on your face."
(On his team being always ready to play the game) It's not that we were desperate to come and play because we had lost two games and would have lost everything if this match hadn't happened. If you think about it that way, I'd say that's bullshit. But I guess it's a game of cricket. Both teams should come out and play. If the conditions are suitable, you should enjoy the game and give the crowd something to cheer about. The spectators had been here the whole day and were passionate about watching this match. Everyone involved, including the ground staff who prepared the venue, deserved to see us play. The ground staff did a phenomenal job. They even made the boundaries smaller, which, of course, is a nightmare for the bowlers, but it was the same for both teams.
(On his side's performance) Yeah, of course. If you look at an off-spinner bowling to a left-handed batter, both players must be familiar with each other. Shahan actually gave us a great start today. We made some tactical changes, and he was up for the challenge. It was really good to see the way he stepped up, accepted the challenge and went out there. He was in explosive form tonight. That was followed by Lokesh and Dre Russ. It was a brilliant first innings of cricket. Then, with the ball, the way Dre Russ started and bowled the third over, followed by Matthews, Rupesh and Pratis, I think we were brilliant as a team. It was a really good performance.
(On the defeat in the last two games) See, even when we lost those two games, I still believed that our opponents hadn't snatched the victories away from us. We were the ones who needed to take responsibility because we didn't play well or finish well on those respective days. But I guess that's the beauty of cricket. Sometimes you're up, sometimes you're down. That's why we call it such a great game. It teaches you a lot. At the end of the day, cricket isn't over, and you have to come back stronger and make a good comeback. Don't give up on anything. As I always say, keep moving forward and keep a smile on your face."
Andre Russell (POTM): "[His experience in NPL so far] Yeah, I think it's just an amazing atmosphere. The people here love cricket, and I love the support we receive in every game. It motivates all of us to come out and perform. I'm happy that I've been doing well so far for the fans, some of whom have travelled hundreds of kilometres to watch us play. I've heard about some incredible journeys, and I really appreciate their support. Even during the rain, they stuck around. That's how much they love cricket.
[You're brilliant wherever you go. What makes Nepal a little different?] There's something special here. I think it's my first time in Nepal, and I want to leave a good impression. Everyone was excited about me being part of the tournament. As professional players, you don't just want to turn up and say, "I'm Andre Russell, and I was here." You want to leave a mark, and I'm happy to have started on a positive note. I'm enjoying my time here and spending time with the guys. There's some lovely talent in Nepal as well. This isn't a league where you can simply turn up, hit sixes and walk all over the opposition. There are good challenges and quality players. I know that over the next couple of years, cricket here will rise to the level of some of the leading cricketing nations. I'm happy to be here. The atmosphere and the weather have been amazing.
[Regarding the conditions] Yeah, I think when a game is shortened, your mindset changes. If it had been a full T20 game, I might have tried to hit my lengths and use the conditions a bit more. But when you're defending a total, especially a big one, you know how important the first three overs are. I had a chat with the guys and told them that we could win the game in the first three overs, but it would come down to our execution. I also went to the coach and the skipper and said, "I need to start this innings." I got off to a good start with a beautiful delivery to get my friend Rutherford out. But that's part of the game. We started well, conceding just three runs in the first over, and Angelo followed that up with a brilliant over. By the end of my third over, the game was pretty much done. That was the plan.
[About the crucial win tonight] Yeah, I think we played some good cricket in the first two games. I'm still kind of shocked when you bring it up because we gave away four points. But tonight was very important, and we're taking every game step by step. We put the bad results behind us in the changing room and move on. The boys have been up for the challenge, and tonight we came out and played some better, more positive cricket, looking to hit sixes from ball one. It was just good to see. I'm happy to get these two points. It felt like four, to be honest."
[You're brilliant wherever you go. What makes Nepal a little different?] There's something special here. I think it's my first time in Nepal, and I want to leave a good impression. Everyone was excited about me being part of the tournament. As professional players, you don't just want to turn up and say, "I'm Andre Russell, and I was here." You want to leave a mark, and I'm happy to have started on a positive note. I'm enjoying my time here and spending time with the guys. There's some lovely talent in Nepal as well. This isn't a league where you can simply turn up, hit sixes and walk all over the opposition. There are good challenges and quality players. I know that over the next couple of years, cricket here will rise to the level of some of the leading cricketing nations. I'm happy to be here. The atmosphere and the weather have been amazing.
[Regarding the conditions] Yeah, I think when a game is shortened, your mindset changes. If it had been a full T20 game, I might have tried to hit my lengths and use the conditions a bit more. But when you're defending a total, especially a big one, you know how important the first three overs are. I had a chat with the guys and told them that we could win the game in the first three overs, but it would come down to our execution. I also went to the coach and the skipper and said, "I need to start this innings." I got off to a good start with a beautiful delivery to get my friend Rutherford out. But that's part of the game. We started well, conceding just three runs in the first over, and Angelo followed that up with a brilliant over. By the end of my third over, the game was pretty much done. That was the plan.
[About the crucial win tonight] Yeah, I think we played some good cricket in the first two games. I'm still kind of shocked when you bring it up because we gave away four points. But tonight was very important, and we're taking every game step by step. We put the bad results behind us in the changing room and move on. The boys have been up for the challenge, and tonight we came out and played some better, more positive cricket, looking to hit sixes from ball one. It was just good to see. I'm happy to get these two points. It felt like four, to be honest."
Player of the Match: Andre Russell
Most Fours of the Match: Andre Russell
Energetic Moment of the Match: Shehan Jayasuriya
Powerplay Champions: Shehan Jayasuriya
Best Partnership of the Match: Shehan Jayasuriya and Lokesh Bam (1st wicket - Biratnagar Kings)
Commentary