Andre Russell produced a decisive all-round performance as Biratnagar Kings edged Janakpur Bolts by two runs in a last-over thriller in the Nepal Premier League at the TU International Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
Chasing 175 for victory, Janakpur finished on 172 for seven in their 20 overs, falling just short after Russell struck twice in the final over to swing the match Biratnagar’s way.
Janakpur needed 13 runs from the final six balls. Russell conceded 10, dismissing captain Harmeet Singh for a duck off the second delivery before having Saif Hassan caught by Basir Ahmed off the last ball.
Saif top-scored for Janakpur with 71 off 48 balls, including two fours and five sixes, but his dismissal ended the chase. Russell finished with four wickets for 45 runs from his four overs.
Earlier, Russell had helped Biratnagar post 174 for three after Janakpur elected to field. He remained unbeaten on 52 off 29 balls, hitting two fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 179.31.
His late assault, alongside half-centuries from Lokesh Bam and Imran Sheikh, helped Biratnagar score 62 runs in the final five overs.
Bam made 50 off 40 balls, while Sheikh scored 56 off 45 deliveries. The pair put on 107 runs for the second wicket after Biratnagar lost Shehan Jayasuriya for one in the opening over.
Abhisekh Tiwari took two wickets for 38 runs for Janakpur, while Moeen Ali claimed one.
