Biratnagar Kings beat Pokhara Avengers by 53 Runs

Biratnagar Kings defeated Pokhara Avengers by 53 runs in the Nepal Premier League match held at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground, Kirtipur on Tuesday.

Batting first under floodlights, Biratnagar Kings set a monumental target of 221 runs against Pokhara Avengers in their opening match of the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL).

This total is the highest ever recorded in NPL history. Lokesh Bam and Martin Guptill anchored Biratnagar’s innings with a century partnership, guiding their team to a commanding position.

After winning the toss, Pokhara Avengers opted to bowl. Biratnagar posted 220 for 6 in 20 overs, despite losing their first wicket in the second over when George Munsey was dismissed for 10 off Matt Taylor’s bowling, with the team on 14 runs.

During the powerplay, Biratnagar lost only one wicket but reached 55 runs, with Bam and Guptill dominating the innings with a series of boundaries. Guptill scored a quickfire half-century off 28 balls, including 3 fours and 4 sixes. By the end of the 10th over, Biratnagar had added 101 runs for the loss of just one wicket.

Lokesh Bam also reached his fifty in 37 balls, hitting five sixes. The duo’s 132-run partnership is the second-highest in NPL history, behind the 176-run stand shared by Dinesh Kharel and Andries Gous in the inaugural edition.

Guptill was dismissed for 61 from 35 balls, hitting 3 fours and 5 sixes, while Bam went on to score 72 from 48 balls, striking 1 four and 7 sixes. At the time of his dismissal, Biratnagar had reached 157 for 3 in 15.3 overs. Shubham Ranjane contributed 38 from 16 balls, including 3 fours and 2 sixes, before being run out. Narayan Joshi remained unbeaten on 11.

On the bowling side, Matt Taylor took 2 wickets for 48 runs in 4 overs, while Sagar Dhakal, Kushal Bhurtel, and Aakash Chand claimed one wicket each.

In reply, Pokhara were bowled out for 167 in 18.5 overs. Only captain Bhurtel, who hit 59 off 31 balls, and Adam Rossington, with 39 off 21, offered resistance.

Biratnagar captain Sandeep Lamichhane led the bowling attack with figures of 2 for 18 in four overs. Pratish GC, Subham Ranjane and Marchant de Lange also picked up two wickets apiece.

Kathmandu Gorkhas will face Sudur Paschim Royals at 4 pm in the next match on Wednesday. Kathmandu opened their campaign with a five-wicket win over defending champions Janakpur Bolts in the tournament opener.