In Nepal Premier League (NPL) , Kathmandu Gorkhas secured thrilling 13 runs victory over Pokhara Avengers at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kritipur, they put their one foot in playoffs , Ben Charlesworth and Bhim Sharki half century and sixth wickets haul from Shahab Alam lead to victory, while Pokhara Avengers suffered fourth defeat.
Pokhara Avengers won the toss and Opted to bowl first , Kathmandu Gorkhas innings began with shaky notes when Akash Tripathi was dismissed for golden duck in first over , Dhananjaya Lakshan gave perfect Start for the team while Rashid Khan fall soon after on 7 , put Avengers bowler early under pressure with tight lines and discipline bowling, Ben Charlesworth stayed calm and began rebuilding the innings.
Charlesworth played composed innings of 64 runs off 55 balls , featuring 5 fours and two sixes, keep the scoreboard ticking. His innings helped the Gorkhas recover from the early setback and set a solid platform for the middle order.
However, the Gorkhas struggled to find momentum in the middle overs. Pokhara bowlers keep tightened their lines with discipline bowling kept slow the scoring rate and Gorkhas lose quick succession wickets.
The game changed completely when Bhim Sharki walked in. He unleashed a brilliant display of power hitting that lifted the entire innings. Sharki smashed an explosive 55 off just 23 balls, hitting five fours and four massive sixes. His strike rate was nearly 240, put quick 76 runs just in 32 deliveries partnership with Charlesworth and his late charge , helps the Gorkhas ended their innings at a competitive 165 for 8 in 20 overs.
For Pokhara Avengers Dhananjaya Lakshan was picked up the bowler took 4/16 in 4 overs while Kushal Bhurtel gets two wickets and one wicket for Bipin Khatri and Kiran Thagunna .
Chasing 166 , Pokhara innings began with shaky notes when Sunny Patel drew first blood dismissed Adam Rossington on 5, Jason Roy tried to counterattack but managed 16 runs off 12 ball.
However , skipper kushal Bhurtel added 20 runs and Trit Raj das dismissed on 9 by sunny patel , Pokhara Avengers put themselves in immense under pressure at 55/4 in 8.3 overs.
Meanwhile Dhananjaya Lakshan and Rishi Dhawan put together 76 runs partnership and Pokhara Avengers get back in contest ,Lakshan scored 30 runs off 27 deliveries .
Rishi Dhawan was especially impressive, smashing 54 runs from 31 balls smashed 3 fours and 2 sixes He hit boundaries at the right moments and kept the chase alive, giving the Avengers real hope of pulling off a comeback. Their partnership brought stability to the innings and put pressure back on the Gorkhas.
However, the turning point arrived in the final overs. Karan KC returned in his second spell and dismissed Lakshan, breaking the well-set partnership. This wicket opened the door for Gorkhas spinner Shahab Alam, who delivered a sensational spell under pressure.
Alam spell turned the match on its head. He picked up six wickets for just 25 runs in four overs . His most crucial wicket was that of Rishi Dhawan, who looked set to take the Avengers close to the target. Once Dhawan fell, Pokhara remaining batters could not handle Alam spin. The Avengers were bowled out for 152 in 20 overs, falling 13 runs short of the target.
For Kathmandu Gorkhas Shahab Alam was standing bowler took 6/25 in 4 overs while 2 wickets for karan kc and Sunny Patel.
Match summary
Toss. : Pokhara Avengers won the toss and Opted to bowl first
Kathmandu Gorkhas innings : 165/8 in 20 overs
Top scorer : Ben Charlesworth 64 runs off 55 balls, Bhim Sharki 55 runs off 23 balls
Top Bowler : Dhananjaya Lakshan 4/16 in 4 overs, Kushal Bhurtel 2/25 in 4 overs
Pokhara Avengers innings : 152/10 in 20 overs
Top scorer : Rishi Dhawan 54 runs off 31 balls , Dhananjaya Lakshan 30 runs off 27 deliveries
Top Bowler : Shahab Alam 6/25 in 4 overs, Sunny Patel 2/25 in 4 overs and also karan kc.
Result : Kathmandu Gorkhas by 13 runs
Player of the match : Sahab Alam 6/25 in 4 overs
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