By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Nov 27, 2025 13:48 PM • 27 views
KIRTIPUR — In a battle of the basement that turned into a statement of intent, the Pokhara Avengers finally arrived at the Nepal Premier League 2025-26 party. Riding on a blistering half-century from Sumeet Verma and a clinical four-wicket haul by Bipin Khatri, the Avengers registered their first win of the season, deepening the crisis for the defending champions, Janakpur Bolts, at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground on Thursday.
The Bottom Line
This was more than just a win; it was a lifeline. Coming into the 14th match of the season, both sides were languishing at the foot of the table, winless and desperate. By the time the floodlights took full effect, the narrative had shifted dramatically. Pokhara (155/6) defended their total with spirited aggression, restricting Janakpur Bolts and leaving the title holders winless in three outings—a stat that will ring alarm bells in the Bolts' dressing room.
Avengers Assemble: The Sumeet Verma Show
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Pokhara's start was anything but smooth. The Bolts' attack, led by the wily Sanjay Krishnamurthi (3/21), posed tough questions early, leaving the Avengers in a precarious position. The scoreboard read a nervous 64/4 in the 11th over, with key men, including skipper Kushal Bhurtel, back in the hut cheaply.
Enter Sumeet Verma. In a display of counter-attacking brilliance that shifted the momentum entirely, Verma smashed a pivotal 50 off just 29 deliveries. His innings, peppered with four towering sixes, was the adrenaline shot Pokhara needed. Supported by a gritty 38 from Dinesh Kharel and a late cameo from Trit Raj Das (29 off 28), Verma dragged his side from the brink of a sub-par total to a competitive 155/6. It was a recovery that spoke of character—something the Avengers had been accused of lacking in their opening defeats.
The Chase: Bolts Broken by Khatri's Spin
Chasing 156 on a surface that offered assistance to the slower bowlers required patience, but Janakpur's top order provided panic instead. The chase never truly engaged second gear. Bipin Khatri was the architect of Janakpur's demise. The spinner spun a web around the Bolts' batters, delivering a match-winning spell of 4 for 15 from his four overs. He dismantled the top order, removing the dangerous Anil Sah and stifling partnerships before they could threaten the target. Janakpur slumped to a disastrous 43/6 inside the first 8 overs, effectively killing the contest as a spectacle. The top-order collapse exposed a soft underbelly that has plagued the champions all season.
Parnell's Lone Hand
Amidst the ruins, Wayne Parnell stood tall. The South African veteran showcased his class with a fighting, unbeaten 48* off 35 balls, striking four sixes to keep a glimmer of mathematical hope alive deep into the innings. However, he lacked a partner. With the score reading 121/8 in the 19th over, Parnell's knock served only to reduce the margin of defeat rather than alter the result. The lack of support from the other end was glaring, with only Sanjay Krishnamurthi (25) offering any prolonged resistance.
Analyst's Take: A Tale of Two Trajectories
For Pokhara Avengers, this win is a template. They showed resilience with the bat and ruthlessness with the ball—a combination that makes them dangerous floaters in the tournament. Sumeet Verma's ability to absorb pressure and transfer it back to the bowlers was the turning point. For Janakpur Bolts, the situation is critical. To lose three games on the trot is worrying; for the defending champions to look this disjointed is alarming. Their batting unit is misfiring as a whole, and relying on lower-order heroics from overseas pros like Parnell is not a sustainable strategy. They need a reset, and fast, or their title defence will be over before the playoff race truly begins.
