Kathmandu, Dec 14: In today’s first match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) cricket, Kathmandu Gurkhas secured a convincing victory. They defeated Pokhara Avengers by six wickets.
Chasing a target of 139 runs set by Pokhara, Kathmandu reached the target in just 14 overs, losing only four wickets.
For Kathmandu, Stephan Eskinazi played a brilliant half-century, scoring 60 runs off 34 balls, including 10 fours. Michael Levit contributed 32 runs, Gerhard Erasmus remained unbeaten with 25, and Bhim Sharki added 22 runs to the total.
In the bowling department for Pokhara, Bipin Khatri claimed three wickets, while Michael Leask picked up one.
Earlier in the match, Pokhara, who batted first after losing the toss, managed to score 138 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground, Kirtipur.
For Pokhara, Raymon Reifer was the top scorer with 41 runs off 30 balls, including three sixes and a four. Dinesh Kharel added 38, while Dilip Nath contributed 27 runs. However, the rest of the players failed to reach double figures. Captain Kushal Bhurtel scored seven, Bipin Khatri managed four, and Sagar Dhakal and Michael Leask each scored just one. Pokhara also benefited from 11 extra runs.
Kathmandu’s bowling attack was led by captain Karan KC and Rashid Khan, both of whom took three wickets each. Gerhard Erasmus and Michael Levit claimed one wicket apiece.
With this win, Kathmandu has now recorded its third victory in six matches, keeping their playoff hopes alive. With six points, Kathmandu has climbed to fourth place on the points table.
Meanwhile, the loss leaves Pokhara’s chances of making it to the playoffs hanging by a thread. With just two wins in six matches, Pokhara currently sits in seventh place. To qualify, they will need not only a big win in their final game but also unfavorable results for other teams. #nepal #cricket #npl
