Kathmandu: Openers Sam Hazlett and Faf du Plessis smashed quick half-centuries as Biratnagar Kings ended table-toppers Sudurpaschim Royals’ unbeaten run in the Nepal Premier League T20 on Saturday.

After inviting the Royals to bat first, the Kings restricted them to 147-6 before racing to 150-6 in just 11.5 overs at the TU Cricket Stadium.

The result not only handed the Royals their first defeat of the season but also lifted the Kings to second place, edging Kathmandu Gorkhas on net run rate despite both teams finishing level on 10 points. The Royals had already secured the top spot with 12 points from six wins in seven matches. Lumbini Lions had claimed the fourth and final playoff berth.

The Royals and Kings will now face off in Qualifier 1 for a place in the final, while the Gorkhas and Lions will meet in the Eliminator. The loser of Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator will then battle in Qualifier 2 for the remaining spot in the final.

South African star Du Plessis blasted a rapid 50 off 20 balls, hammering five fours and four sixes before being bowled by Abinash Bohara. Australian opener Hazlett struck a brisk 51 off 27 deliveries, featuring three boundaries and four sixes before falling to Harmeet Singh, caught behind by Binod Bhandari.

The pair shared a 97-run opening partnership. Martin Guptill added a quick 22 off 9 balls before being run out. Bohara finished with figures of 2.5-0-38-2.

For the Royals, Aarif Sheikh and Ishan Pandey put on a 72-run stand for the third wicket. Sheikh top-scored with an unbeaten 45 off 32 balls, including one boundary and three towering sixes. Pandey contributed 38 off 35 with two fours and two sixes before Sandeep Lamichhane dismissed him, caught by Marchant de Lange.

Openers Josh Brown (24 off 25) and Binod Bhandari (15 off 13) gave the Royals a decent start, while captain Dipendra Singh Airee added a quickfire 19 off 11 with two boundaries.

Lamichhane shone with the ball, taking 3-20 from his four overs. Pratish GC delivered an impressive single over, claiming two wickets for just four runs.