Kathmandu, October 28
Captain Dipendra Singh Airee struck a half-century as defending runners-up Sudurpaschim Royals registered their first victory in the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), defeating Pokhara Avengers by six wickets.
Chasing a target of 146 runs at the TU Cricket Ground, Sudurpaschim reached 149 for four in 16.5 overs.
Airee led the chase with 50 off 36 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes. He was well supported by Ishan Pandey, who scored 37 off 31 balls, as the pair put on 74 runs for the fourth wicket to steady Sudurpaschim after an early wobble.
Sudurpaschim lost opener Binod Bhandari for four before Saif Ali Zaid and Brandon McMullen added 34 runs for the second wicket. Zaid made 14, while McMullen scored 22.
Pandey and Airee then took control of the chase. Pandey departed after making 37, while Sherfane Rutherford remained unbeaten on eight to help Sudurpaschim complete the victory comfortably.
For Pokhara, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Maheesh Theekshana and Shakib Al Hasan took one wicket each.
Earlier, Pokhara posted 145 for seven in their allotted 20 overs after being put in to bat.
Arjun Gharti Magar top-scored with an unbeaten 40 off 25 balls, including four fours and a six. He added 15 runs in the final over to give Pokhara a late boost.
Maheesh Theekshana scored 32, while captain Kushal Bhurtel contributed 21 off 17 balls, hitting two boundaries. Theekshana and Bhurtel shared a 35-run partnership for the second wicket.
Opener Dinesh Kharel was dismissed for four in the third over, caught off Hemant Dhami’s bowling. Bhurtel departed in the 10th over, caught off Airee, while Theekshana was dismissed by Anil Kharel in the sixth over.
Shakib scored 14, Lakshan made 11, and Sadeera Samarawickrama managed eight. Kiran Thagunna was dismissed for one, while Bipin Khatri remained unbeaten on five.
Anil Kharel was Sudurpaschim’s leading bowler, taking three wickets for 23 runs in three overs. Dhami, Scott Kuggeleijn and Airee claimed one wicket each.
Two matches are scheduled for Thursday. Janakpur Bolts will face Kathmandu Gorkhas at 12:30 pm, followed by a match between Biratnagar Kings and Karnali Yaks at 5 pm.
