A shocking turn of events saw the Janakpur Bolts, the reigning champions, plummet to the bottom of the Nepal Premier League in a dramatic fall from grace. Their disappointing performance in the second season culminated in a last-place finish, a stark contrast to their previous triumph. In a nail-biting final league-stage match, the Bolts were defeated by the Karnali Yaks by a mere three runs, concluding their campaign with a record of six losses in seven matches.
Both Janakpur and Karnali entered their final match with identical records, each having suffered five losses in their previous six games. This match was their last chance to avoid the wooden spoon.
The Bolts, after electing to bowl first, managed to restrict the Yaks to a modest total of 129/9. The Yaks' innings saw 20-year-old Imran Sheikh, making his NPL debut, top-score with 33 runs off 32 balls. He was the fourth wicket to fall, with the score at 86 in 14.3 overs.
Several other Karnali batsmen, including Priyank Panchal (16), Gulshan Kumar Jha (19), William Bosisto (15), Najibullah Zadran (13), and Sompal Kami (18), contributed with double-digit scores, but their efforts weren't enough to build a substantial total.
Bolts' bowlers showcased discipline, with five out of eight bowlers taking at least one wicket. They conceded only four extras, demonstrating excellent control.
Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi and Aaditya Mahata each claimed two wickets, while Sangeeth Cooray, Anil Kumar Sah, and Maaz Sadaqat took one each. Cooray proved to be the most economical bowler, conceding only 12 runs in his four overs. Impressively, Cooray, a Sri Lankan left-handed batsman and right-arm bowler, secured six wickets in just three matches, holding the second-best economy rate in NPL history.
But here's where it gets controversial... the Bolts, with a strong batting lineup, were expected to chase down the target with ease. However, their top order faltered, with the first four batsmen managing only 21 runs. Two players, Aasif Sheikh and Sah, were dismissed without scoring. Opener Sadaqat and Mayan Yadav contributed 12 and 9 runs, respectively.
Bosisto was instrumental in dismissing Sadaqat and Yadav, while Watt and Pawan Sarraf claimed the wickets of Aasif and Sah. Cooray and Sanjay Krishnamurthi then attempted to revive the chase, building a 75-run partnership before Cooray (25) was dismissed in the 17th over. Krishnamurthi's half-century brought the team close, but his dismissal on the first ball of the final over, after scoring 51 off 39 balls, left the team needing 14 runs to win. Skipper Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton tried his best, but the Bolts ultimately fell short, managing only 126/7.
And this is the part most people miss... the unwavering support of the 'Bolts Army' was a remarkable highlight. The fans, donning pink, were present from the very first game.
There was only one match where the 'Bolts Army' wasn't present. After four consecutive losses, Janakpur did not see the banner in the stands on their fifth match, which was against Chitwan Rhinos on December 2. It was the only match where the Bolts won, defeating the Rhinos by six wickets to end their losing streak.
Following that, the Bolts lost again to the Lumbini Lions on December 5. The four-wicket loss to Lumbini had ended the playoffs’ hopes of not only the Bolts, but also that of Chitwan and Pokhara.
Despite the match's lack of significance, the 'Bolts Army' remained steadfast. After the game, the players showed their appreciation, and the Army responded, demonstrating their unwavering support.
As the league stage concluded, the TU International Cricket Stadium prepared to host Qualifier 1 between Sudurpaschim Royals and Biratnagar Kings on Tuesday, with the winner advancing to the final.
What are your thoughts on the Bolts' unexpected downfall? Do you think the team's strategy was the issue, or was it simply a matter of bad luck? Share your opinions in the comments below!
