Biratnagar’s Impressive Victory

In the second season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), Biratnagar Kings made a stunning start by defeating Pokhara Avengers by 53 runs.

Biratnagar’s victory was anchored by a century partnership between Lokesh Bam and Martin Guptill. Chasing a target of 221 runs, Pokhara were bowled out for 167 in 18.5 overs.

Dinesh Kharel, who had scored 7 runs, was dismissed by Pratish Jisi on the fourth ball of the second over, with Pokhara’s score at 12. Following this, Adam Rasington and captain Kushal Bhurtel played an impressive innings. Pokhara managed 77 runs for the loss of 1 wicket in the first powerplay—the highest powerplay total in the ongoing NPL.

The pair shared a 76-run partnership for the second wicket. On the last ball of the seventh over, Rasington was trapped LBW by Shubham after scoring 39 runs off 21 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes.

After Adam’s dismissal, Biratnagar captain Sandeep Lamichhane struck back in the eighth over, taking 2 crucial wickets. He dismissed James Nism for a golden duck and Trit Das bowled by Sandeep without scoring, giving away just 3 runs in the over and putting Pokhara under immense pressure.

The fifth wicket fell when Kiran Thagunna was caught by Martin Guptill off Surya Tamang’s delivery for 8 runs. At this point, Pokhara had 103 runs for 5 wickets.

Meanwhile, captain Kushal scored a quick half-century off 25 balls, hitting 5 fours and 3 sixes, but received little support from other batsmen. Abhishek Tiwari was dismissed for 11 runs.

Kushal’s dismissal for 59 runs as the seventh wicket left Pokhara’s chase almost impossible, with 92 runs required off 35 balls at that stage.

In bowling, Sandeep Lamichhane, Pratish Jisi, Merchant de Lange, and Shubham each took 2 wickets, helping Biratnagar secure a dominant win.

Earlier, after Pokhara won the toss and chose to bowl, Biratnagar posted 220 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 20 overs, marking the highest score in NPL history. In the first edition, Biratnagar had scored 193 runs while chasing 192 against Lumbini.

Biratnagar lost their first wicket on the second ball of the second over when George Munsey was dismissed for 10 runs, bowled by Matt Taylor. At that point, the team had only 14 runs on the board. In the first powerplay, Biratnagar added 55 runs for the loss of 1 wicket.

Lokesh Bam and Martin Guptill then dominated the innings with a flurry of boundaries and sixes. Martin reached a half-century off just 28 balls, hitting 3 fours and 4 sixes. By the end of the 10th over, Biratnagar had scored 101 runs for the loss of one wicket, putting Pokhara’s bowlers under immense pressure.

Lokesh followed suit, reaching his half-century in 37 balls, hitting 5 sixes. Together, Lokesh and Guptill shared a century partnership, adding 132 runs. Guptill was dismissed for 61 runs off 35 balls, including 3 fours and 5 sixes. This marked the second-highest partnership in NPL history, following Dinesh Kharel and Andres Gas’s 176-run stand in the first edition.

Lokesh was eventually caught by V.P. Khatri off Kushal Bhurtel’s bowling for 72 runs, hitting 1 four and 7 sixes in 48 balls. At that point, Biratnagar had 157 runs in 15.3 overs.

Shubham added 38 runs in 16 balls, hitting 3 fours and 2 sixes before being run out, while Narayan Joshi remained unbeaten on 11 runs. In bowling, Matt Taylor took 2 wickets for 48 runs in 4 overs, while Sagar Dhakal and Kushal Bhurtel claimed 1 wicket each.

Earlier today, Chitwan Rhinos defeated Karnali Yaks by 4 wickets, starting their campaign on a winning note. Tomorrow, Kathmandu Gorkhaz will face Sudurpaschim Royals. Yesterday, Kathmandu had defeated Janakpur Bolts by 5 wickets.