Kathmandu, November 9
Powered by Yuvraaj Singh Samra’s aggressive century and a half-century from Kushal Bhurtel, Pokhara Avengers have set Karnali Yaks a big target of 218 runs in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Monday.
In the match at the TU ground in Kirtipur, Pokhara won the toss and batted first. They scored 217 for three in the allotted 20 overs, with Samra hitting the first century of the season.
Pokhara became the first team to score 200 this season. It is also the second-highest total in the NPL overall. In the second edition in 2025, Biratnagar Kings made 220 against Pokhara Avengers.
Samra completed his 100 off 45 balls, with 10 fours and six sixes. He scored 102 off 48 balls in total. Kushal added 62 off 39 balls, including seven sixes.
Samra, a Canadian opener, scored the century in only his second NPL match. He is the first player to score a century in this season of the NPL.
He is also the third Pokhara player and the fourth overall to score an NPL century. Earlier, Pokhara’s Andries Gous scored a century against Lumbini Lions in the first season. In the second season, Adam Rossington hit a century for Pokhara, also against Karnali Yaks.
Samra put on 27 for the first wicket with Mehedi Hasan. After the opener was dismissed for five off 16 balls, Samra and Bhurtel added 136 for the second wicket. It is the third century stand of the season and the highest partnership for any wicket this season.
It is also one of the highest partnerships in NPL history. In the first edition in 2024, Pokhara’s Gous and Dinesh Kharel put on an unbeaten 176 for the first wicket against Lumbini Lions.
After Samra and Bhurtel were dismissed, captain Chamika Karunaratne batted aggressively to take the team past 200. He played a cameo of 25 not out off 11 balls, with three fours and three sixes. Sunny Wick, who made his NPL debut in this match, remained unbeaten on three.
For Karnali, captain Sompal Kami took two wickets for 24 runs in four overs. Mark Watt took one wicket.
