Andre Russell delivered a match-winning all-round performance as Biratnagar Kings defeated Janakpur Bolts by two runs in a last-over thriller of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Tuesday.
scored an unbeaten 52 off 29 deliveries before claiming four wickets to help Biratnagar defend a target of 175. Janakpur, who needed 13 runs from the final over, finished their 20 overs at 172/7, falling agonisingly short of victory.
The all-rounder was particularly influential in the closing stages, taking two wickets in the final over to prevent Janakpur from completing the chase. He dismissed captain Harmeet Singh for a duck before removing the well-set Saif Hassan off the final delivery.
Biratnagar were put in to bat after Janakpur captain Harmeet Singh elected to field. The Kings suffered an early setback when Shehan Jayasuriya departed for one run in the opening over.
However, Lokesh Bam and Imran Sheikh steadied the innings with a 107-run partnership for the second wicket. The duo helped Biratnagar reach 46/1 during the powerplay before taking their team past the 100-run mark.
Sheikh was the first to complete his half-century, scoring 56 off 45 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes. His innings ended in the 14th over when he was caught behind off Abhisekh Tiwari.
Bam continued his contribution, bringing up his half-century off 38 deliveries. He eventually departed for 50 off 40 balls, having struck four boundaries and three sixes.
Russell then took charge of the innings, providing the late acceleration alongside Shubham Ranjane, who remained unbeaten on seven. Biratnagar collected 62 runs in the final five overs to finish at 174/3.
For Janakpur, Tiwari was the leading wicket-taker with figures of 2/38, while claimed one wicket.
Chasing 175, Janakpur needed a strong batting performance to maintain their winning momentum. Saif Hassan provided that with an impressive 71 off 48 deliveries, including five sixes and two fours.
Bishal Shusling also contributed with 43 off 30 balls, while New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham added 27 from 15 deliveries.
The contributions kept Janakpur in contention, but Biratnagar continued to find breakthroughs at crucial moments.
With 13 runs required from the final six deliveries, Russell was handed the responsibility of bowling the last over. He dismissed Harmeet Singh on the second ball before conceding four runs and then removing Saif Hassan off the final delivery.
Janakpur managed only 10 runs in the over, finishing at 172/7 and missing the target by two runs.
Russell finished with figures of 4/45 from four overs, completing an influential performance with both bat and ball. The victory gave Biratnagar Kings an important result in the league-stage campaign, while Janakpur Bolts were denied a third consecutive win.
