Sudurpaschim Royals defeated Pokhara Avengers by six wickets in the fourth match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Wednesday, chasing a target of 146 with 19 balls remaining at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground.
Captain Dipendra Singh Airee scored 51 off 36 balls to lead the Royals to 148 for four in 16.5 overs. He was named Player of the Match. Pokhara had earlier made 145 for seven in their 20 overs.
Ishan Pandey supported the chase with 37 off 31 balls, while Brandon McMullen made 22 off 12. The win was Sudurpaschim’s first of the 2026 tournament, after they lost their opening match to defending champions Lumbini Lions by seven wickets.
Gharti lifts Pokhara
Sent in to bat after Airee won the toss and chose to field, Pokhara lost wickets at regular intervals. Opener Dinesh Kharel fell for four, but Mahedi Hasan made 32 off 21 balls and captain Kushal Bhurtel added 21 off 17. Shakib Al Hasan scored 14.
Arjun Gharti provided the late push, remaining unbeaten on 40 off 25 balls with four fours and a six. He and Bipin Khatri added 28 runs from 17 balls in the closing stages, and the final over brought two fours and a six.
For Sudurpaschim, Anil Kharel was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 23 in three overs. Hemant Dhami took 1 for 14 in three overs, while Airee (1 for 21) and Scott Kuggeleijn (1 for 49) also took a wicket each.
Airee and Pandey anchor the chase
McMullen’s quick start, at a strike rate of 183.33, kept the Royals on course in the early overs despite wickets falling. Airee and Pandey then shared a 74-run partnership from 54 balls, which eased the pressure and put Sudurpaschim in control. Airee struck a four and a six in his final over at the crease to seal the win.
Shakib Al Hasan (1 for 24), Mahedi Hasan (1 for 31) and Dhananjaya Lakshan (1 for 17) took a wicket each for Pokhara, but they could not break the stand before it had reduced the target substantially.
What it means
Sudurpaschim reached the final in both previous editions of the NPL but have yet to win the title. They had also won both earlier meetings with Pokhara, in the 2024 and 2025 editions. Pokhara, who failed to reach the playoffs in the first two seasons, are still waiting for their first points in the third edition.
The tournament features eight franchises, and the final is scheduled for November 21. Sudurpaschim next face Biratnagar Kings on October 31 at Kirtipur.
