NPL Sudur Paschim Royals vs Pokhara Avengers prediction , Pitch Report,players to Watch Out

The Nepal Premier League (NPL) continues to deliver T20 action as the Pokhara Avengers lock horns with the formidable Sudur paschim Royals at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Pokhara Avengers will look to first win in tournament, while Royals wants to keep winning momentum.

The Sudur paschim Royals have hit the ground running, starting their NPL 2025 journey with a convincing 29-run victory over the Kathmandu Gorkhas. Their opening match demonstrated a resilient team effort, successfully defending a moderate total of 147. This early win places them comfortably near the top of the points table, showcasing why they were last season runners-up.

On the other hand Pokhara Avengers have stumbled, suffering a heavy 53-run defeat against the Biratnagar Kings in their first outing. Chasing a mammoth 220, the Avengers were bowled out for 167. They currently sit at the bottom of the table, making this match a critical opportunity to register their first win and kickstart their tournament.

Sudur Paschim Royals vs Pokhara Avengers Head to Head Records in NPL

Sudur paschim Royals hold a decisive 1-0 advantage, having won their sole previous encounter in the 2024 season by a narrow 5-run margin. That match saw the Royals successfully defend a total of 153. Pokhara Avengers are yet to register a victory against the formidable Royals.

Pitch Report

The pitch at the Tribhuvan University Ground in Kirtipur is offering a balanced contest but with a slight edge for the bowlers early on. The surface has been described as flat and hard, giving the pacers helpful pace and bounce and some swing with the new ball.The average first-innings score around 150-160, although we have seen a record 220 posted recently, proving batsmen can score big once set. Spinners will also find turn as the game progresses. The captain winning the toss will likely elect to bowl first to utilize the early movement and assess the target.

Probable playing XIs

Sudur Paschim Royals

Chris Lynn, Josh Brown , Binod Bhandari (wk), Dipendra Singh Airee (c), Aasif Sheikh, Ishan Pandey, Naren Saud, Harmeet Singh, Hemant Dhami, Abinash Bohra, Scott kuggeleijn

Pokhara Avengers

Kushal Bhurtel (c), Dinesh Kharel, Adam Rossington (wk), James Neesham, Trit Raj Das , Kiran Thagunna,   Abhisekh Tiwari, Daniel Douthwaite, Matt Taylor, Akash Chand, Sagar Dhakal

Players to Watch Out

Chris Lynn

Dipendra Singh Airee

Harmeet Singh

Kushal Bhurtel

James Neesham

Akash Chand

Prediction

Sudur Paschim Royals are slightly favourites with more international experience and Batting depth while Pokhara Avengers Heavy rely on top order,if their middle order and lower order clicks then win, we expected close contest between this two sides.