NPL 2025: Sudurpaschim defeats Pokhara by 18 runs

Kathmandu: Sudurpaschim Royals have defeated Pokhara Avengers by 18 runs in the match held under the Nepal Premier League 2025 this evening.

After posting a total of 193 runs in 20 overs at the loss of 7 wickets, Sudurpaschim defended the score to restrict Pokhara to 175 runs at the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs.

Only captain Kushal Burtel 53(32), James Neesham 47 (25) and Dan Southwaite 37 (16) reached double figures for Pokhara, as they lost wickets in regular intervals, while trying to chase down a significantly high total.

For Sudurpaschim, Harmeet Singh took 2 wickets while all but one of the remaining six bowlers used took 1 wicket each.

Earlier, put into bat first in the day-night match held at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Sudurpaschim posted a handsome total of 193 runs, thanks to a brilliant 68 runs in 35 overs by Opener Josh Brown, whose score consisted of 6 fours and 3 sixes. His opening partner Binod Bhandari contributed 43 runs in 42 balls.

Likewise, Chris Lynn and captain Dipendra Singh Airee scored 31 and 15 runs respectively.

For the bowling side that chose to bowl first after winning the toss, New Zealander James Neesham took 3 wickets while Aakash Chand and Dan Douthwaite took 2 wickets each.

This was the second match for both teams in the second season of NPL. With this win, Sudurpachim has collected 4 points with two wins in the two matches. Pokhara remains pointless after losing its second straight match.

On Saturday, two matches are being played, with the first one, starting at 11:15 am involving Karnali Yaks and Lumbini Lions. In the second day-night match that starts at 4:00 pm, Kathmandu Gorkhas faces Biratnagar Kings.