Sudur Paschim bag four win in a row, Pokhara register first win

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Nov. 28: Former runners-up Sudurpaschim Royals extended their unbeaten run, while Pokhara Avengers registered their first victory by handing defending champions Janakpur Bolts their third consecutive defeat in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2025 on Thursday.

In the first match at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Sudurpaschim defeated Lumbini Lions by seven wickets, becoming the only side to remain undefeated after four matches.

Chasing a modest target of 144 runs, Sudurpaschim reached 145 for three in 18.2 overs to seal the win. With this result, they moved to the top of the table with eight points from four matches, edging closer to the play-offs. Lumbini, with just two points from the same number of games, sit in sixth place.

Opener Binod Bhandari starred for Sudurpaschim with an unbeaten 69 off 49 balls, including five fours and four sixes, earning him the Player of the Match award. Arif Sheikh added 39 runs, while Chris Lynn contributed 16.

For Lumbini, Abhishesh Gautam, Ruben Trumpelmann, and Tilak Bhandari picked up one wicket each. Earlier, having lost the toss and asked to bat first, Lumbini were bowled out for 143 in 19.4 overs. 

Captain Rohit Paudel top-scored with 35 off 36 balls, including three boundaries. Dilip Nath made 31, while D’Arcy Short and Sumit Maharjan both scored 18. Gulbadin Naib chipped in with 11.

Sudurpaschim’s bowlers dominated: Abinash Bohara and Harmeet Singh claimed three wickets apiece, Hemant Dhami took two, and Scott Kuggeleijn added one.

In the second match of the day, Pokhara Avengers defeated Janakpur Bolts by 25 runs. Chasing a target of 156, Janakpur managed to add 130 losing nine wickets in 20 overs. 

Electing to bat first, Pokhara posted 155 for six in 20 overs, becoming the first team this season to choose batting after winning the toss. 

Sumeet Verma top-scored with an unbeaten 50 off 29 balls, striking two fours and four sixes. Opener Dinesh Kharel added 38, Trit Raj Das contributed 29, and Adam Rossington chipped in with 24. Janakpur’s Sanjay Krishnamurthy claimed three wickets, while Anil Shah and Lalit Rajbanshi picked up one each.

In reply, Janakpur’s batting woes continued as they tottered to 91 for eight in 15.5 overs. Wayne Parnell, who retired out in the 19.2 overs, was the lone fighter with a 38-ball 50, including two fours and four sixes. 

The rest of the batting faltered, with opener Maaz Sadaqat (20), Krishnamurthy (25), and Rajbanshi (10 not out) the only other double-digit scorers.

Pokhara’s bowling attack was led by Bipin Khatri, who returned impressive figures of 4 for 15 in his four-over spell. Verma took two wickets, while Kushal Bhurtel and James Neesham claimed one each.

Adding a unique touch to the day, both teams sported specially designed jerseys carrying social messages. The Avengers wore green kits to support the Glaciers Matter campaign, while Janakpur donned pink jerseys dedicated to mothers, with each player’s shirt bearing his mother’s name in tribute to their love, strength, and resilience.