The Nepal Premier League match between Sudurpaschim Royals and Biratnagar Kings was delayed in Kathmandu after the scheduled start time passed without a toss, with Sudurpaschim captain Dipendra Singh Airee not coming forward for the pre-match procedure. Biratnagar were ready to begin, while spectators at the ground chanted for play to start. The reason for Airee’s dissatisfaction has not been made clear.
Toss delay holds up the match
The fixture could not get under way as scheduled because the toss had not taken place. Airee’s absence meant the two captains did not meet for the coin toss, leaving the start of the match delayed even as Biratnagar Kings were prepared to play. The available reports describe a delay to the start, rather than providing an outcome for the fixture.
The circumstances that led Sudurpaschim Royals to withhold their captain from the toss were not explained in the reports. No clear account was given of what had prompted Airee’s dissatisfaction, and the team’s decision was not accompanied by a stated reason. The situation therefore remained unresolved as spectators waited for the match to begin.
Spectators urge teams to start
The delay drew a visible response from people at the ground. Spectators chanted for the match to begin, calling for the teams to take the field and play. Some used the lights on their mobile phones, switching on their torches as they waited.
Others sang Deusi-Bhailo, bringing a familiar festive song into the crowd’s response to the stalled start. The different reactions reflected the audience’s impatience as the scheduled time passed without the toss. However, the reports did not indicate that the crowd’s actions changed the teams’ positions or provide details of any exchange between spectators and team officials.
Reason for Sudurpaschim’s stance remains unclear
The central unanswered question was why Sudurpaschim Royals had not sent Airee for the toss. The available information confirms his absence and the resulting delay, but does not establish what he or the team objected to. Without a clear explanation, it would be premature to attribute the hold-up to a particular disagreement or incident.
Biratnagar Kings were reported to be ready to start, but the match remained on hold because the toss had yet to take place. The reports did not provide further information about when the captains would meet, when play would begin, or whether the delay would affect the fixture’s schedule. For spectators at the Kathmandu ground, the immediate focus remained on whether the toss would go ahead and the game could start.
