KATHMANDU: The Pokhara Avengers set a 146-run target for the Sudurpaschim Royals in their Nepal Premier League (NPL) match on Wednesday. Invited to bat first after losing the toss at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Pokhara finished their innings at 145 for seven.
Arjun Gharti led the scoring for Pokhara with an unbeaten 40 off 25 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six. Opener Mehdi Hasan contributed 32 runs off 21 deliveries, while captain Kushal Bhurtel added 21 runs. Other notable contributions came from Shakib Al Hasan with 14 runs, Dhananjaya Lakshan with 11, and Vepin Khatri with an unbeaten five. Dinesh Kharel, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Kiran Thagunna failed to make significant impacts, scoring four, eight, and one run respectively. The team also received nine extra runs.
Sudurpaschim bowler Anil Kharel proved effective, taking three wickets for 23 runs in his three-over spell. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee, Hemant Dhami, and Scott Kuggeleijn each claimed one wicket. This match marks the second appearance for Sudurpaschim in the ongoing tournament, following their opening loss to the Lumbini Lions, while it is the first game for the Pokhara Avengers.
