KATHMANDU, Nov 12: Pokhara Avengers has been officially eliminated from the playoff race in the Nepal Premier League (NPL).
Following a 4-wicket defeat to Biratnagar Kings in the 22nd match held at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Pokhara’s journey in the tournament has come to an end at the group stage.
Pokhara currently sits at the bottom of the points table with just 2 points. Even if the team wins their final group-stage match, it will not be able to break into the top four. Meanwhile, with this thrilling victory, Biratnagar has strengthened its playoff prospects, now accumulating six points from six matches.
NPL: Pokhara Avengers Vs Biratnagar Kings match to be decided t...
Biratnagar chased down the target of 133 runs set by Pokhara in 19.2 overs, losing six wickets in the process. Facing a challenging situation where 49 runs were required from the final five overs, Isuru Udana and Shehan Jayasuriya played aggressively to secure the win for Biratnagar.
Udana delivered an explosive performance, remaining unbeaten on 25 runs off 12 balls—an innings that included 4 fours and 1 six. Jayasuriya also remained unbeaten, contributing 17 runs off 14 balls. The pair accelerated the scoring in the final overs, swinging the match in Biratnagar's favor.
Earlier, for Biratnagar, Basir Ahmed contributed a crucial 37 runs off 39 balls, while wicketkeeper-batter Lokesh Bam added 33 runs off 27 balls.
Opener Imran Sheikh scored 10 runs and Angelo Mathews added 8, while Charith Asalanka and Pratish GC were dismissed for ducks. Although Pokhara bowlers Ramesh Mendis and Kushal Bhurtel took 2 wickets each, they could not prevent their team's defeat. Similarly, Bipin Khatri and Dhananjay Lakshan claimed one wicket each.
Previously, Pokhara that batted first, witnessed all out for 132 runs in 17.5 overs. For Pokhara, Yuvraj Samra played a brilliant lone-warrior innings of 84 runs off 47 balls—featuring 7 fours and 5 sixes—but none of the other batters could perform.
Biratnagar captain Sandeep Lamichhane delivered a lethal bowling performance, taking 6 wickets—including a hat-trick—while conceding 27 runs in his 4 overs.
Lamichhane dismissed Yuvraj Samra, Captain Chamika Karunaratne, and Kiran Thagunna on the third, fourth, and fifth balls of the 15th over, respectively. Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, and Rupesh Singh also took one wicket each for Biratnagar.
