NPL 2026: Lumbini defeats Pokhara by 8 wickets

Kathmandu: Lumbini Lions have defeated Pokhara Avengers by 8 wickets in the match held between the two sides under the Nepal Premier League (NPL) T20 cricket tournament.

In the match held this evening at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Lumbini restricted Pokhara to a meagre 97 runs at the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs, and surpassed the victory target of 98 runs in just 11.4 overs. Captain Rohit Paudel (47 from 32 balls) and Niroshan Dickwell (27 from 26 balls) remained undefeated, while they took their team over the line. D’Arcy Shot contributed 13 runs off 6 balls.

For the bowling side, Bipin Khatri was the only bowler who took a wicket, while opener Aasif Sheikh was run out.

Earlier, invited to bat first after losing the toss, Pokhara scored 97 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Chamika Karunaratne contributed 25 runs, captain Kushal Bhurtel scored 14, Mahedi Hasan added 13, and Kiran Thagunna chipped in with 12 runs.

In the bowling department for Lumbini, Ruben Trumpelmann took 3 wickets, Tilak Bhandari claimed 2, while Sher Malla, Abhishesh Gautam, and captain Rohit Paudel each took 1 wicket.

Lumbini Lions remain undefeated in the current edition of the tournament; they have secured two wins and shared points in another match cancelled due to rain. Pokhara, on the other hand, remains winless, having failed to secure a victory in the three matches they have played so far.

RSS