Sudur Paschim Royals seal second straight win

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Nov. 22: Sudur Paschim Royals registered their second consecutive win in the Nepal Premier League after beating Pokhara Avengers by 18 runs at TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, on Friday.

Set a target of 194, Pokhara were restricted to 175/8 in 20 overs. This was their second defeat of the season, having earlier lost to Biratnagar Kings.

Pokhara had a poor start, slipping to 20/3 in 4.2 overs. Skipper Kushal Bhurtel and New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham steadied the innings with a 75-run stand for the fourth wicket. 

Neesham struck two fours and five sixes in his brisk 25-ball 47 before being bowled by Dipendra Singh Airee in the 12th over. Bhurtel carried on but lacked support from the other end. Bhurtel, however, was bowled out by Scott Kuggeleijn in the 16th over. The captain hit four fours and four sixes in his 32-ball 53. After his dismissal, Pokhara’s chase collapsed.

From the lower order, Englishman Dan Douthwaite fought back with a 16-ball 37, smashing five sixes and one four, but it was not enough.

Harmeet Singh bagged two wickets for Sudur Paschim. Kuggeleijn, Airee, Hemant Dhami, Abinash Bohara and Naren Saud chipped in with one wicket each.

Earlier, Sudur Paschim, put in to bat, posted 193/7 in 20 overs. Openers Josh Brown and Binod Bhandari shared a 108-run stand after both had fallen for ducks in the opening match against Kathmandu Gorkha.

Brown blasted six fours and five sixes in his 35-ball 68. Bhandari played the anchor role, scoring 43 off 42 balls with six boundaries. After Brown’s dismissal in the 11th over, Bhandari added 34 runs with Chris Lynn, who smashed 31 off 13 balls, including four fours and two sixes. Lynn was the second wicket to fall in the 13th over, both Australian batters undone by Neesham.

Captain Airee chipped in with 15 off 10 balls before departing in the 16th over. Bhandari was out in the 17th with the score at 170. Harmeet Singh (4), Kuggeleijn (8) and Aarif Sheikh (0, lbw to Neesham) fell cheaply. Ishan Pandey (6) and Naren Saud (4) remained unbeaten.

For Pokhara, Neesham finished with 3/47. Aakaash Chand and Douthwaite claimed two wickets each.

On Saturday, Karnali Yaks face Lumbini Lions in the day match, while Biratnagar Kings meet Kathmandu Gorkhas under lights.