KATHMANDU, Dec 4: Despite an early collapse, strong middle-order performances from Ben Charlesworth and Bhim Sarki helped Kathmandu Gorkhas post a competitive total of 165 runs against Pokhara Avengers in the Nepal Premier League (NPL).
Sent in to bat after losing the toss at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Kathmandu finished on 165/8 in the allotted 20 overs.
Butwal Blasters set 151 runs target for Pokhara Paltan
Kathmandu had a shaky start, losing opener Akash Tripathi for a duck in the first over. Rashid Khan (7), Jon Simpson (2) and Mohammad Adil Alam (7) also failed to reach double figures. Milind Kumar departed for 13, leaving Kathmandu struggling at 79/5 in 13.3 overs.
However, a crucial 76-run stand for the sixth wicket between opener Ben Charlesworth and Bhim Sharki revived the innings. Sharki, who arrived under pressure, played an explosive knock, reaching his fifty off just 19 balls. He scored 55 runs off 23 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes before falling to Dhananjaya Lakshan in the 19.4th over.
On the other end, Charlesworth anchored the innings with a composed 64 off 55 balls, hitting 5 fours and 2 sixes, before being dismissed by Bipin Khatri in the 18.5th over. Captain Karan KC chipped in with 4 runs off 2 balls, while Sunny Patel remained unbeaten on 2.
For Pokhara, Dhananjaya Lakshan delivered a standout bowling performance, claiming 4 wickets for just 16 runs, including a maiden over, from his 4-over spell. Captain Kushal Bhurtel took 2 wickets for 25 runs, while Bipin Khatri and Kiran Thagunna picked up a wicket each.
Pokhara Avengers will now chase a target of 166 runs.
