Kathmandu, Dec. 20: Janakpur Bolts outperformed Karnali Yaks in Qualifier 2 of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Thursday and booked their berth in the final against Sudurpaschim Royals. Janakpur and Sudurpaschim will go head-to-head to lift the trophy of the 1st NPL on December 21.

Losing to Sudurpaschim in Qualifier 1 on Wednesday, Janakpur was facing Karnali, winner of Eliminator defeating Chitwan Rhinos, at TU Cricket Ground in Qualifier 2.

Skipper Aasif Sheikh elected to field first after Janakpur won the toss intending to restrict Karnali to a low total. And the bowlers delivered for Janakpur.

Two wickets each by Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, James Neesham and Mohammad Mohsin alongside one each by Harsh Thaker and Sher Malla helped Janakpur restrict Karnali at 118/9.

Karnali’s Jaykishan Kolsawala, who scored a half-century in his debut on December 18, returned for a duck against Janakpur and his opening partner Dev Khanal scored 24 off 20 before departing as the second wicket in the last over of the first powerplay.

Khanal’s 24 was the second-highest score for Karnali by the end of the game. The highest run scorer for the Yaks was Gulshan Kumar Jha as he added 25 off 20 before departing as the eighth wicket in 16.1 overs leaving the team at 103 runs.

Zeeshan Maqsood, William Bosisto and Chadwick Walton, the man who took Karnali to the Playoffs, could not deal enough damage to Janakpur.

Karnali would have posted a lower total if it was not for two fours by Unish Bikram Singh Thakuri in the final over of Neesham.

“We were pretty confident that we can defend the total even if it was low. We were doing good, but things did not end in our favour,” said Bipin Sharma, the 16-year-old who was selected by Karnali from a talent hunt.

Sharma was the one who gave Karnali the biggest hope in the defence when he bowled out Neesham in 15.3 overs.

Neesham had smashed the second ball of the 16th over for a four following which he tried to hit the third ball for a six. However, he missed.

Neesham was walking slowly towards the pavilion to watch the replay of how he missed the ball and got bowled, and he was not happy with it.

“I had hit the previous ball for a four and was aiming for a six when I got bowled. In the end, I was happy that we were on the winning side,” said Neesham, who also praised Sharma’s bowling.

Sharma bagged three wickets against Janakpur that helped him reach the fourth position of leading wicket-takers. He has 13 wickets in 8 games and is behind Scott Kuggeleijn (16 in 8), Rajbanshi (16 in 8) and Sohail Tanvir (14 off 8).

“I was nervous before my first game as it was a big platform for me. Seniors and coaching staff helped me a lot throughout the tournament,” Sharma added.

In-at-six, Neesham was dropped at a duck by Dev Khanal and the ball cleared the boundary line for a six. Neesham then smashed four more sixes and two boundaries adding 45 off 17 for the team.

When Neesham entered the crease, Janakpur was at 41/4 in 10 overs. Departing as the sixth wicket in 15.3 overs, Neesham took the team to 94, 26 runs short of the target.

However, Neesham’s wicket was a big blow for Janakpur. Nevertheless, in-at-seven Mayan Yadav and in-at-nine Sher Malla kept the scoreboard ticking and ensured Janakpur’s entry into the final by chasing the total by the end of the 19th over.

Now, Janakpur will face Sudurpaschim for the third time in the inaugural edition. Janakpur lost to Sudurpaschim by 72 runs in the league stage on December 11. The losing streak continued when the duo met in Qualifier 1 on Wednesday where Janakpur lost for the second time; this time Sudur won by eight wickets.

“I will not be caring if I get out for a duck or after a proper inning in the final. But, as a team, I want to lift the trophy,” Neesham, the former New Zealand international and one of the biggest names to grace the NPL, said in the post-match conference after the win over Karnali.