Kathmandu: West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell starred for Biratnagar Kings as they registered their first win of the Nepal Premier League after three games, defeating Sudurpaschim Royals by 35 runs in a rain-affected match in Kirtipur on Saturday.

Russell smashed an unbeaten 29 off 10 balls and claimed a wicket as the Kings, sent in to bat first, posted 105-2 in a five-over-per-side contest due to the wet outfield. In reply, the Royals managed only 70-3.

With the result, both Sandeep Lamichhane-led Kings and Dipendra Singh Airee-led Royals have two points from three matches. The Kings are fourth while the Royals sit sixth in the standings, separated by net run rates.

The start of the match was delayed by more than four hours due to the wet outfield and the Royals’ reluctance to play under what they described as ‘unplayable’ outfield conditions.

Although the match was scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm under normal conditions, it finally got underway after 9:00 pm.

Sent in to bat first, Kings’ Sri Lankan opener Shehan Jayasuriya smashed a blistering 11-ball 39, including five sixes and two boundaries. He was trapped lbw by Abinash Bohara.

Russell struck three sixes and two boundaries, while Lokesh Bam hit three sixes and a boundary before being dismissed off the final ball of the five-over innings.

Bohara claimed 2-28 in his two overs for the Royals.

Chasing the challenging target, the Royals suffered an early setback as opener Sherfane Rutherford was bowled by Russell off the first ball of the innings.

Captain Dipendra Singh Airee was dismissed for one. Scott Kuggeleijn, batting at number five, remained unbeaten on 28 off six balls, while Aarif Sheikh scored an unbeaten 17 off eight balls. Opener Saif Zaib contributed 17 off 10 deliveries.

Kings’ Russell, Angelo Mathews and Rupesh Singh claimed a wicket each.