KATHMANDU: Sudurpaschim Royals defeated Pokhara Avengers by six wickets in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Twenty20 cricket tournament on Wednesday.
After restricting Pokhara to 145 for seven in their allotted 20 overs at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur, Sudurpaschim chased down the target of 146 in 16.5 overs, losing only four wickets.
Captain Dipendra Singh Airee led from the front with a brilliant half-century, scoring 51 runs off 36 balls. He sealed the victory in style by hitting a six off Pokhara captain Kushal Bhurtel. Ishan Pandey contributed 37 runs off 31 balls, while Brandon McMullen added 22 off just 12 deliveries.
For Pokhara, Dhananjaya Laxman, Shakib Al Hasan and Mehedi Hasan took one wicket each.
Earlier, Sudurpaschim won the toss and elected to bowl first, restricting Pokhara to a modest total of 145 runs.
Arjun Gharti was Pokhara’s leading scorer, making 40 runs off 25 balls. Mehedi Hasan contributed 32 off 21 deliveries, while captain Kushal Bhurtel scored 21 and Shakib Al Hasan added 14.
Sudurpaschim’s Anil Kharel was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets. Hemant Dhami, Airee and Scott Kuggeleijn took one wicket each.
The victory marked Sudurpaschim’s first win of the tournament following their defeat to Lumbini Lions in the opening match. Pokhara, meanwhile, suffered a defeat in their first game of the competition.
Two matches are scheduled at the same venue on Thursday. Janakpur Bolts will face Kathmandu Gorkhas in the first match, while Karnali Yaks will take on Biratnagar Kings in the second.
Comment