- Sudurpaschim Royals defeated Pokhara Avengers by six wickets in the Nepal Premier League, successfully chasing a target of 146 runs in 16.5 overs.
- Captain Dipendra Singh Airee scored an unbeaten 51, sharing a crucial 74-run partnership with Ishan Pandey to anchor the successful chase.
- Spinner Anil Kharel dismantled Pokhara’s middle order with figures of 3 for 23, restricting them to 145/7 despite a late cameo by Arjun Gharti.
- The match highlighted the successful debut of the Decision Review System in the NPL, which assisted in overturning several on-field decisions.
Kathmandu, Nepal: Sudurpaschim Royals bounced back strongly from their opening-match defeat against Lumbini Lions, securing a convincing six-wicket victory over Pokhara Avengers in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
Chasing a target of 146, Sudurpaschim reached 148 for four in 16.5 overs. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee anchored the chase with a fine, unbeaten half-century after his side suffered an early top-order collapse.
Dipendra and Ishan Steady the Chase
Sudurpaschim found themselves in trouble at 56 for three before Dipendra joined forces with Ishan Pandey to steady the ship. Dipendra smashed an unbeaten 51 off 36 balls, laced with four boundaries and two sixes, while Ishan contributed a crucial 37 off 31 deliveries.
Together, the pair put on a match-winning 74-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Although Ishan was trapped leg-before by Mehidy Hasan in the 16th over, the damage was already done, leaving Sudurpaschim needing just 16 runs to win. Dipendra, alongside Sherfane Rutherford (8* off 4 balls), comfortably guided the team home.
Reflecting on the partnership, Ishan emphasized the importance of patience while rebuilding:
"Today, there was no need to rush. I didn't need to take unnecessary risks—we just focused on assessing the situation and building a steady partnership."
The victory came as a huge relief for Sudurpaschim, a team long burdened by a history of late-tournament heartbreaks after finishing as runners-up in previous franchise finals. Ishan expressed hope that getting a tough win under their belts early in the campaign would alter their fortunes this time around.
"We used to stumble toward the end of past seasons," Ishan noted. "Hopefully, securing this win early means we've finally broken that curse."
Anil Kharel Breaks Pokhara’s Momentum
Earlier in the day, Sudurpaschim’s bowlers laid the foundation for the win by restricting Pokhara Avengers to 145 for seven in their 20 overs.
Left-arm spinner Anil Kharel was the pick of the bowlers, turning the game on its head with figures of 3 for 23 in his three overs. Pokhara had gotten off to a brisk start, powered by Mehidy Hasan’s explosive 32 off 21 balls, before Anil removed him in the sixth over.
Anil then ripped through Pokhara's middle order, picking up the crucial wickets of Shakib Al Hasan and Sadeera Samarawickrama to halt Pokhara's momentum. Arjun Gharti provided late fireworks with an unbeaten 40 off 25 balls (including four boundaries and a six), but it wasn't enough to propel Pokhara to a defending total.
Anil’s stellar effort followed another economical spell in the opening match against Lumbini, where he picked up 2 for 9. Ishan praised his teammate's consistency and composure:
"Anil plays with immense confidence. His deep familiarity with Nepali conditions, combined with his experience playing cricket in Australia, makes him a huge asset for us."
DRS Makes a Welcome Impact
Beyond the action on the pitch, Ishan welcomed the official introduction of the Decision Review System (DRS) in this season's NPL, calling it a landmark step forward for Nepali cricket. With several on-field decisions successfully overturned during Wednesday's match, the system proved vital in ensuring fair play.
With their first win secured, Sudurpaschim Royals will look to build momentum heading into their upcoming fixtures. Meanwhile, Pokhara Avengers are left searching for answers after failing to capitalize on a promising start.
