Kathmandu, Dec. 8 -- In a spectacular downfall, the defending champions, Janakpur Bolts, finished at the bottom in the second season of the Nepal Premier League. In Sunday's fixture with the Karnali Yaks, which was also the 28th and the last league-stage match, the Bolts lost by three runs to end their campaign with six losses in seven matches.

Both Janakpur and Karnali were playing their last match of the season with five losses in their last six matches. They were the two bottom teams on the points table, aiming for a win in their seventh match only to not finish as the last team of the season.

The Bolts elected to bowl first and capitalised on their decision, restricting the Yaks to a low total of 129/9. Imran Sheikh, the 20-year-old...