Kathmandu: A stellar all-round performance from skipper Dipendra Singh Airee helped Sudurpaschim Royals maintain their perfect record in the Nepal Premier League T20, defeating Karnali Yaks by 45 runs for their third straight victory on Monday.

Invited to bat first at the TU Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur, Airee top-scored with 39 off 28 balls as the Royals posted 139-9. He then returned to claim 4-23 from four overs, helping bowl out the Yaks at 94 runs with four balls remaining.

The win propelled the Royals to the top of the standings with a maximum six points from three matches, becoming the second team after Biratnagar Kings to win all three games so far. Karnali, meanwhile, sit sixth in the eight-team table with one win from three.

Sudurpaschim made a shaky start, slipping to 46-4, before Airee provided much-needed stability with a composed knock featuring one boundary and two sixes after coming in at No. 6. Aarif Sheikh contributed a valuable 27 off 25 with three boundaries before being bowled by Nandan Yadav.

Other contributions came from Chris Lynn (18 off 20), Harmeet Singh (19 off 16), opener Binod Bhandari (11 off 13) and Scott Kuggeleijn (10 off 8).

Karnali skipper Sompal Kami picked up 3-32 from four overs, including a maiden, while Yadav returned impressive figures of 2-11 from three overs.

Chasing 140, Karnali’s top order crumbled, losing opener Priyank Panchal (0), William Basisto (3) and Najibullah Zadran (1) cheaply to slump to 29-4. The other opener, Mark Watt made 17 off 10 before being trapped lbw by Airee.

Player-of-the-match Airee was also involved in dismissing Panchal, who was stumped by wicketkeeper Binod Bhandari, and trapping Zadran lbw.