By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Dec 06, 2025 15:04 PM • 29 views
KIRTIPUR: In a contest where only pride was at stake, the Pokhara Avengers delivered a clinical performance to dismantle the Chitwan Rhinos by eight wickets in the 27th match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Saturday. Led by a blistering half-century from Adam Rossington and a disciplined bowling effort, the Avengers wrapped up their season with a morale-boosting victory at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. With both sides already eliminated from playoff contention, the match was a battle to avoid the wooden spoon territory. The Avengers, however, played with the freedom of a side unburdened by pressure, chasing down Chitwan’s sub-par target of 121 with two balls to spare, finishing their campaign in fifth place.
Rossington Rules the Chase
A commanding 100-run partnership between Adam Rossington and Arjun Kumal defined the pursuit. Rossington, who has been a rare bright spark in Pokhara’s otherwise inconsistent season, showcased his class once again. The English wicketkeeper-batter smashed a fluent 65 off 48 balls, punishing the Rhinos’ bowlers with four boundaries and five towering sixes. While Rossington provided the fireworks, young Arjun Kumal played the perfect foil, anchoring the innings with a composed, unbeaten 43 off 53 deliveries. Despite losing captain Kushal Bhurtel early for 10, the Avengers never looked in trouble. By the time Rossington fell in the 15th over to Rijan Dhakal, the game was effectively sealed. Jason Roy (6*) joined Kumal to apply the finishing touches, ensuring no late drama derailed the result.
Rhinos’ Top-Order Meltdown
Earlier in the day, Chitwan Rhinos’ decision to bat first backfired spectacularly. The top order capitulated under overcast skies, leaving the side reeling at a disastrous 7 for three within the powerplay. The experienced trio of Arjun Saud (1), Ravi Bopara (1), and Dawid Malan (5) failed to fire, exposing the middle order to the new ball. It was Dhananjaya Lakshan who wreaked havoc early on. The Avengers’ pacer was unplayable in his opening spell, snapping up three wickets for just 20 runs in his 3.2 overs before unfortunately leaving the field with an injury. His early strikes broke the Rhinos’ back, a position from which they never truly recovered.
Stabilising, but Not Enough
Chitwan’s innings was salvaged from total embarrassment by a gritty recovery effort from Dev Khanal and Saif Zaib. Khanal fought hard for his 35 off 41 balls, while Zaib chipped in with 17. However, the lack of momentum meant the scoring rate remained sluggish. It took a late cameo from Alpesh Ramjani to drag the Rhinos to a somewhat respectable total. The Ugandan all-rounder struck a breezy, unbeaten 33 off 22 balls, including two sixes, to lift the side to 120/6. Yet, on a Kirtipur surface that usually rewards aggressive batting, the total was always likely to be insufficient against a lineup boasting Rossington and Roy.
The Aftermath
For the Chitwan Rhinos, the loss marked a fifth defeat in seven games, a bitter end to a season that promised much but delivered little. Their inability to fire as a collective unit was once again on display. Conversely, the Pokhara Avengers will take heart from their third win of the tournament. While the playoffs remained out of reach, finishing fifth with six points offers a platform to build on for next season. In a game that meant nothing for the table but everything for professional pride, it was the Avengers who turned up, leaving the Rhinos to reflect on a campaign of missed opportunities.
