KATHMANDU: Pokhara Avengers have been eliminated from the Nepal Premier League (NPL) playoffs following a four-wicket defeat against Biratnagar Kings. Pokhara is the first team to exit the tournament, having lost five of their six league matches. Despite having one final game remaining against Kathmandu Gorkhaz, their current standing confirms they cannot qualify for the next stage.
In the match held at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Pokhara set a target of 133 runs. Biratnagar chased it down in 19.2 overs, losing six wickets. Basir Ahmed contributed 37 runs, Lokesh Bam added 33, Isuru Udana remained unbeaten on 25, and Seekkuge Prasanna scored 17. For Pokhara, Ramesh Mendis and Kushal Bhurtel claimed two wickets each, while Bipin Khatri and Dhananjaya Lakshan took one each.
Earlier, Pokhara was bowled out for 132 runs in 17.5 overs. Sandeep Lamichhane spearheaded the Biratnagar bowling attack, taking a hat-trick and finishing with 6 wickets for 27 runs, the best figures of his T20 career. Lamichhane’s hat-trick came in the 15th over, where he dismissed Yuvraj Sharma, Chamika Karunaratne, and Kiran Thagunna in consecutive deliveries. He had previously dismissed Sunny VK, Ramesh Mendis, and Arjun Gharti.
Yuvraj Sharma was the top scorer for Pokhara with 84 runs off 47 balls, hitting seven fours and five sixes. Dhananjaya Lakshan scored 22 and Sunny VK added 12, while no other batter reached double digits. Angelo Mathews, Rupesh Singh, and Charith Asalanka each took one wicket for Biratnagar. With three wins and six points, Biratnagar has strengthened its playoff prospects and will face Lumbini Lions in their final league match.
