Janakpur Bolts vs Sudur Paschim Royals, 18th Match

The upcoming 18th match of the Nepal Premier League 2025 features a keenly anticipated T20 clash between Janakpur Bolts and Sudur Paschim Royals at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. Both teams have shown mixed form through the tournament, with Janakpur Bolts leveraging a strong middle-order batting lineup and a disciplined pace attack. Their recent encounters have highlighted the prowess of their young spinners, who have consistently contained runs during the middle overs. Meanwhile, Sudur Paschim Royals rely heavily on their explosive openers and experienced all-rounders, known for quick starts and the ability to accelerate in the death overs. Head-to-head, the sides have shared victories evenly, but the Royals have had a slight upper hand in the last three meetings, winning two and showcasing superior adaptability in varying pitch conditions. Key players for the Bolts include their captain and leading run-scorer, who has averaged over 40 with the bat this season, and their strike bowler who has a knack for picking crucial wickets upfront. For the Royals, their dynamic opening batsman and lethal finisher stand out, alongside a crafty spinner capable of turning the tide in pressure situations. Strategically, the Bolts will look to build a solid foundation and attack in the mid-overs, while the Royals may adopt an aggressive approach right from ball one to unsettle the opposition. Considering the balance of strengths and recent performances, this match promises to be fiercely competitive. However, given their home advantage, slightly better bowling depth, and recent momentum, Janakpur Bolts are marginal favorites to edge ahead. #### AI Suggested Match Winner Janakpur Bolts: 55%, Sudur Paschim Royals: 45%

The Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground often offers a sporting pitch conducive to stroke play with some assistance to spinners as the game progresses. If Janakpur Bolts bat first, expect them to set a challenging but reachable total around 160-170, leveraging their stable batting lineup and ability to accelerate in the latter overs. Conversely, if Sudur Paschim Royals take first strike, they are likely to post a similar range, approximately 155-165, capitalizing on their aggressive openers and power hitters. Overall, the first innings scores are expected to hover between 155-170 runs depending on how the teams adapt to the pitch on the day.

The pitch at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground is historically balanced, favoring batsmen with true bounce and predictable pace. Average first-innings score here in T20s is about 165 runs. Teams batting second have had a slight advantage, with a 54% win percentage when chasing, owing to the typically stable outfield and dry conditions aiding stroke play. Weather forecast for match day predicts clear skies and moderate temperatures around 26°C, ideal for cricket with negligible chance of rain. Within these two sides, Raju Singh of Janakpur Bolts holds the best bowling figures at this ground with 4/18 in a previous encounter, while Anil Shahi from Sudur Paschim Royals boasts the highest individual score – a fluent 78 off 45 balls. These performances underline their capability to influence the match decisively.

Stat	Janakpur Bolts	Sudur Paschim Royals
Total Matches Played	6	6
Matches Won	3	3

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 Matches
Janakpur Bolts	W, L, W, W, L
Sudur Paschim Royals	L, W, L, W, W

Raju Singh (Janakpur Bolts): Leading bowler for the Bolts, Raju has consistently delivered breakthroughs, especially in powerplay overs, with 12 wickets this tournament.

Sunil Thapa (Janakpur Bolts): Reliable middle-order batsman averaging 38.5, known for stabilizing innings and accelerating in death overs.

Anil Shahi (Sudur Paschim Royals): Explosive opener with two half-centuries recently, providing strong starts and quick runs.

Bikash Rana (Sudur Paschim Royals): Dynamic all-rounder contributing crucial runs and economical bowling spells in T20 matches.

Manoj Karki (Sudur Paschim Royals): Skilled spinner with excellent control, consistently containing batsmen and taking key wickets in pressure situations.