Defending champion Janakpur Bolts suffered a 25-run defeat at the hands of Pokhara Avengers in the 14th match of Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 2, held in Kirtipur.
Janakpur was restricted to 130/9 runs in the allotted 20 overs while it was chasing the 156-run target. This marks Janakpur’s third straight loss and Pokhara’s first victory in the ongoing NPL Season 2.
To restrict Janakpur from reaching the target, Bipin Khatri claimed the highest 4 wickets followed by Sumeet Verma with 2 wickets while Kushal Bhurtel and James Neesham grabbed 1 wicket each for Pokhara.
Despite Wayne Parnell's half-century, Janakpur remained far behind the required runs. Parnell hit 2 fours and 4 sixes off 38 deliveries. Similarly, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Maaz Sadaqat and Lalit Rajbanshi contributed 25, 20 and 10 runs, respectively. The other batsmen could not achieve double-digit runs.
Earlier, electing to bat first after winning the toss at the TU International Cricket Ground, Pokhara notched up 155 runs losing six wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
Sumeet Verma made a half-century including 2 fours and 4 sixes off 29 deliveries followed by Dinesh Kharel with 38 runs while Trit Raj Das and Adam Rossington contributed 29 and 24 runs, respectively. The other batsmen could not achieve significant runs.
In reply, Sanjay Krishnamurthi took the highest 3 wickets followed by Lalit Rajbanshi and Anil Sah with 1 wicket each for Janakpur Bolts.
Earlier, in the first match held today, Sudurpaschim Royals defeated Lumbini Lions by 7 wickets.
Two matches are scheduled for Friday. Chitwan Rhinos will take on Kathmandu Gorkhas in the first match at 11:45 am tomorrow and Biratnagar Kings and Karnali Yaks will lock their horns in the second match at 4 pm.
.
