Sudurpaschim Secures Consecutive Victories in NPL

 In the second season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), Sudurpaschim Royals secured their second consecutive win.

Today, Sudurpaschim defeated Pokhara Avengers by 18 runs, handing Pokhara their second consecutive loss. The victory was highlighted by a century partnership between Jas Brown and Vinod Bhandari, with Brown’s explosive batting being the standout performance.

Despite captain Kushal Bhurtel scoring his second consecutive half-century, Pokhara failed to chase the target. Chasing 194 runs, Pokhara managed 175 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their 20 overs.

Pokhara’s batting got off to a disappointing start, compounded by weak bowling from their side. On the fifth ball of the first over, opener Adam Rosington was run out, leaving the team at 3 runs for the first wicket.

The other opener, Dinesh Kharel, was caught by Hemant Dhami off Harmit Singh’s bowling for just 6 runs. At 8 runs, Pokhara lost their second wicket, and at 20 runs, their third wicket fell when Kiran Thagunna was bowled by Harmit Singh for 9 runs. At the end of the first powerplay, Pokhara had only 25 runs.

Captain Kushal Bhurtel and James Neesham tried to revive the innings, adding 45 runs from the 7th to the 10th over. By the 10th over, Pokhara had reached 70 runs.

However, in the 12th over, Deependra Singh Aire, bowling to Neesham, conceded two consecutive sixes in the first two balls but bowled Neesham for 47 runs on the third ball. At 95 runs, losing Neesham put Pokhara back under pressure.

Soon after, Sumit Verma was caught off Deependra’s bowling for just 6 runs, bowled by Naren Saud. Kushal Bhurtel then played a magnificent innings, scoring a half-century off 31 balls, hitting 4 fours and 4 sixes—his second consecutive fifty in the tournament.

After reaching his half-century, Kushal added 53 runs before being dismissed by Scott. At his dismissal, Pokhara needed 68 runs from 26 balls, an almost impossible task, leaving their chances of winning slim.

Abhishek scored 3 runs off 13 balls before being dismissed by Abhinash Bohara. At this stage, Pokhara was 134 for 7 wickets down, and the match was effectively slipping away from them.

Eighth-order batsman Dan added 37 runs off just 16 balls, including 1 four and 5 sixes, before being dismissed by Hemant. With this, Pokhara Avengers fell short by 18 runs.

In bowling, Harmit Singh was the pick, taking 2 wickets for 22 runs in 4 overs. Avinash, Scott, Deependra, Hemant, another Avinash, and Naren each claimed 1 wicket.

Earlier, after losing the toss, Sudurpaschim Royals batted first at TU Cricket Ground, scoring 193 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Openers Jas Brown and Vinod Bhandari gave a sensational start. With 18 runs added in the first two overs, Brown unleashed the T20 fireworks in the third over off Akash Chand’s bowling, scoring 20 runs from 3 balls with a four and a six. By the end of the first powerplay, Sudurpaschim had 60 runs on the board.

Brown’s dominant innings included 50 runs off 29 balls, hitting 5 fours and 3 sixes. Along with Vinod, who contributed 1 run at the 10th over, they put together a century partnership.

In the 10.4 over, James Neesham from Pokhara claimed the first wicket, dismissing Brown for 68 runs. Brown’s explosive innings had included 6 fours and 5 sixes off 35 balls.

Chris Lynn then came to the crease at one-down, adding 34 runs in a 20-ball partnership with Vinod. Lynn’s contribution was 31 runs off 13 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes. He was eventually caught by Abhishek Tiwari off Neesham’s bowling. By losing the second wicket, Sudurpaschim had scored 142 runs in 13 overs.

The third wicket fell in the 16th over. Dan Douthwaite, after scoring 15 runs off 10 balls, including a four and a six, was caught by Kushal Bhurtel. Soon after, opener Vinod added 43 runs off 42 balls before being dismissed by Akash Chand.

Captain Deependra Singh Aire contributed 15 runs, Harmit Singh 4, Scott Kugelin 5, and Arif Sheikh was run out for a duck.

In bowling, James Neesham took the most wickets, claiming 3 scalps for 47 runs in 4 overs. Akash Chand and Dan Douthwaite took 2 wickets each.

Pokhara Avengers made two changes in their playing XI, including Bipin Khatri and Sumit Verma, while dropping Tritraj and Matt Taylor. Sudurpaschim did not make any changes to their side.

Tomorrow, the first match will feature Lumbini Lions versus Karnali Yaks, followed by Kathmandu Gorkhaz against Biratnagar Kings.