Saif falls short as Janakpur lose in final-ball thriller

Bangladesh batter Saif Hassan came agonisingly close to guiding Janakpur Bolts to victory but fell on the final ball as they suffered a two-run defeat against Biratnagar Kings in the Nepal Premier League.

Chasing 175, Janakpur needed three runs off the last delivery. Saif, who struck 71 off 48 balls with five sixes and two fours, was caught at midwicket off Andre Russell’s bowling.

Janakpur had slipped to 30-3 before Saif and Bishal Susling added 76 runs. Susling scored 43 off 30 balls, while Jimmy Neesham made 27 off 15.

Earlier, Russell smashed an unbeaten 50, while Imran Sheikh and Lokesh Bam also scored half-centuries. Russell took four wickets to seal the win.