KATHMANDU: Pokhara Avengers clinched a 34-run win against Karnali Yaks in the second match on Tuesday of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 2, with help from a century from Adam Rossington.
Losing the toss at TU International Cricket Ground, Pokhara batted first and posted a formidable total of 201 runs for the loss of just two wickets. Chasing 202, Karnali were bowled out for 167 in 19 overs.
This marks Karnali’s fourth consecutive loss. Before this, they were defeated by Kathmandu Gorkhas, Biratnagar Kings, and Sudurpashchim Royals. Karnali had secured just one win so far against Lumbini Lions, after losing their opening match to Chitwan Rhinos.
Pokhara, meanwhile, registered their second win of the season. They had previously beaten Janakpur Bolts but faced defeats at the hands of Lumbini Lions, Sudurpashchim Royals, and Biratnagar Kings in earlier matches.
Rossington was the star of the match, smashing an unbeaten 108. Jason Roy contributed 46, Dhananjaya Lakshan scored 23, and captain Kushal Bhurtel made 18, helping Pokhara dominate the innings.
Karnali bowlers struggled throughout, managing to take only two wickets , Roy falling in the 16th over and Bhurtel in the 5th ball of the 4th over.
During the chase, Karnali opener Priyank Panchal departed early after scoring 16. Jaykishan Kolsawala followed soon with just 6 runs, putting pressure on the batting lineup.
Mark Watt kept Karnali in the contest with a brilliant 59 off 34 balls, including four boundaries and five sixes. However, once he fell in the 9th over, Karnali’s innings lost momentum. Najibullah Zadran added 24, but the rest failed to deliver.
Comment