By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Nov 21, 2025 16:14 PM • 27 views
KATHMANDU — The Sudurpaschim Royals maintained their perfect start to the second season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), securing a commanding 18-run victory over the Pokhara Avengers at the TU Cricket Ground on Friday. While the Royals celebrated their second consecutive win, the result deepened the woes of the Pokhara Avengers, who have now suffered back-to-back defeats. The victory was architected by a blistering century partnership between openers Josh Brown and Binod Bhandari, setting a formidable foundation that ultimately proved too high a mountain for Pokhara to climb. Despite a valiant, second consecutive half-century from Avengers skipper Kushal Bhurtel, his side fell short, finishing at 175-8 in pursuit of a daunting 194-run target.
Royals Dominate with the Bat
After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, Sudurpaschim wasted no time in asserting dominance. Openers Brown and Bhandari provided a spectacular start, negotiating the first two overs before Brown unleashed his fury in the third. Facing Aakash Chand, Brown smashed boundaries and a six to collect 20 runs in a single over, signalling his intent. By the end of the power play, the Royals were cruising at 60-0. Brown continued his assault, bringing up his half-century off just 29 balls, studded with five boundaries and three sixes. The duo brought up their 100-run partnership in the 11th over. The breakthrough finally came for Pokhara in the 11th over when Jimmy Neesham dismissed Brown for a destructive 68 off 35 balls (6 fours, 5 sixes). Following Brown's departure, Australian powerhouse Chris Lynn kept the momentum alive. In a brief but violent cameo, Lynn smashed 31 runs off just 13 balls—including four boundaries and two sixes—adding 34 runs with Bhandari before falling to Neesham. Bhandari, who played the anchor role, departed for a well-compiled 43 off 42 balls. While the middle order—including skipper Dipendra Singh Airee (15)—couldn't capitalise late in the innings, the Royals posted a challenging 193-7. For Pokhara, Neesham was the most successful bowler with 3 wickets, though he was expensive, conceding 47 runs. Aakash Chand and Dan Douthwaite claimed two wickets apiece.
Avengers Stumble Early in the Chase
In reply, Pokhara's chase began disastrously. The pressure of the target led to a top-order collapse, with the team managing only 25 runs in the powerplay. Opener Adam Rossington was run out for a duck in the first over. His partner, Dinesh Kharel (6), fell to Hemant Dhami, while Kiran Thagunna (9) was dismissed by Harmeet Singh, leaving the Avengers reeling at 20-3. Skipper Kushal Bhurtel and all-rounder James Neesham attempted a rescue act, stabilising the innings with a 45-run stand between the 7th and 10th overs. At the halfway mark, Pokhara sat at 70-3, still in with a fighting chance. The turning point arrived in the 12th over. Neesham, looking dangerous on 47, smashed Dipendra Singh Airee for two consecutive sixes but was clean bowled on the third delivery. His dismissal at 95-4 shifted the momentum firmly back to the Royals.
Late Fireworks Not Enough
Although Bhurtel fought on to register his second straight fifty (53 off 31 balls), his dismissal in the 16th over left Pokhara needing a near-impossible 68 runs from 26 balls. Late hitting from Dan Douthwaite, who blasted 37 off 16 balls (1 four, 5 sixes), narrowed the margin of defeat but could not alter the outcome. The Royals' bowling unit was disciplined, with Harmeet Singh returning economical figures of 2-22 from his four overs. Avinash Bohara, Scott Kuggeleijn, Dipendra Singh Airee, Hemant Dhami, and Naren Saud all chipped in with a wicket each.
Team News and Upcoming Fixtures
Pokhara made tactical changes for the match, bringing in Bipin Khatri and Sumit Burma in place of Trit Raj and Matt Taylor, but the rotation failed to yield a win. Sudurpaschim fielded an unchanged XI. The NPL action continues tomorrow with the Lumbini Lions facing the Karnali Yaks in the morning fixture, followed by a clash between Kathmandu and Biratnagar.
