Kathmandu, Dec. 6 -- Biratnagar Kings stormed into Qualifier 1 of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) after defeating Sudurpaschim Royals by six wickets in just 11.5 overs at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Saturday.

Biratnagar needed to chase 148 inside 13 overs to surpass Kathmandu Gorkhas on net run rate. They achieved the target comfortably, driven by a blistering opening stand between Sam Heazlett and Faf du Plessis, who added 97 runs within seven overs.

Du Plessis hammered a 19-ball half-century-the second-fastest fifty in NPL history-before being dismissed for 50, hitting five fours and four sixes. He struck four boundaries and a six off Dipendra Singh Airee in a single over. Heazlett was equally aggressive, scoring...