NPL: Moeen Ali's fifty and Rahul Yadav's four wickets help Janakpur beat Kathmandu

Janakpur Bolts have registered their first win of the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). In Thursday's match at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Janakpur defeated Kathmandu Gorkhas.

Janakpur chased down Kathmandu's target of 116 runs, losing two wickets in 17.2 overs. Moeen Ali's unbeaten 58 and Saif Hassan's unbeaten 40 powered Janakpur's win. Moeen's half-century was the third fifty of this edition; the second had earlier come from Sudurpashchim captain Dipendra Singh Airee.

In bowling, 16-year-old Rahul Yadav, who was selected through a talent hunt, took four wickets. Moeen Ali praised Rahul, saying he sees the future of Nepali cricket in him and that he could become "Nepal's Malinga."

After the defeat, Kathmandu Gorkhas coach Sharad Veerasammy said there is a possibility that David Warner could join the team for the second match if it is at all possible.