Lumbini Lions beat Pokhara Avengers to keep playoff hopes alive (photos)

KATHMANDU: Lumbini Lions kept their playoff hopes alive in the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) after defeating Pokhara Avengers by 3 wickets. Pokhara suffered their third loss of the tournament.

Chasing a target of 151 runs, Lumbini reached the score in 19.4 overs, losing seven wickets.

Lumbini had a shaky start, losing opener Sumit Maharjan for a duck in the very first over to Bipin Khatri. Soon after, the other opener D’Arcy Short was dismissed for 7, also by Bipin, leaving the team struggling at 22 runs.

Captain Rohit Paudel and Niroshan Dickwella steadied the innings with a crucial 54-run partnership for the third wicket. Dickwella scored 37 off 22 balls, hitting 2 fours and 2 sixes before falling to Matt Taylor. Lumbini reached 76/3 in 10.2 overs.

Dilip Nath added 10 runs before being dismissed by Sagar Dhakal. At the end of 14 overs, Lumbini were 100/4, needing 51 runs from 36 balls.

In the 15th over, captain Rohit Paudel was dismissed for 40 off 36 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes), caught by Bipin Khatri off Sagar Dhakal—a big breakthrough for Pokhara. Lumbini stood at 100/5.

With 49 needed from 30 balls, Gulbadin Naib and Sundeep Jora took charge. With 26 needed from 18 balls, Naib, who had scored 17, was caught brilliantly by Kiran Thagunna off Matt Taylor in the 18th over.

Rubell Trumpelmann then joined Jora with Lumbini needing 21 from 12 balls. Lumbini scored 11 runs in the 19th over but lost Trumpelmann.

With 10 required off the final over, Jora guided Lumbini home—scoring 2 runs off the first ball, a boundary off the second, and another boundary off the fourth—to seal a thrilling win.

Pokhara’s Struggle After Slow Start

Earlier, Pokhara Avengers posted 150/5 in 20 overs after being invited to bat first by Lumbini captain Rohit Paudel.

Pokhara made a poor start, scoring only 27 runs in the powerplay with 2 wickets down. Sher Malla claimed both wickets in the fourth over—dismissing opener Dinesh Kharel (7) and Kushal Bhurtel, who was out for a second consecutive golden duck.

Soon after, Sumit Verma was trapped LBW by Gulbadin Naib without scoring. Trit Raj Das also fell cheaply for 1, bowled by Tilak Bhandari, leaving Pokhara in deep trouble at 33/4. They reached 38/4 in 10 overs, the lowest 10-over score in the ongoing NPL.

A brilliant recovery came through a 92-run partnership between Adam Rossington and Jimmy Neesham. Rossington scored an outstanding 81 off 63 balls, hitting 7 fours and 5 sixes, before being caught by Sher Malla off Tilak Bhandari.

Neesham remained unbeaten on 51 off 32 balls (3 fours, 3 sixes), helping Pokhara post a competitive total of 150.

For Lumbini, Sher Malla and Tilak Bhandari picked 2 wickets each, giving away 23 and 25 runs respectively from their 4 overs.

Points Table Scenario

This was Pokhara’s third loss in four matches, leaving them with just 2 points.

Lumbini, playing their fifth match, secured their second win, moving to 4 points and remaining in contention for the playoffs.

Later today, last season’s finalists Sudurpashchim Royals will face Janakpur Bolts, who are at the bottom of the table and still searching for their first win of the season.

Lumbini Lions:

Pokhara Avengers:

Photos: