Sandeep Lamichhane produced one of the great Nepal Premier League spells as Biratnagar Kings beat Pokhara Avengers by four wickets in Match 22 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Thursday, 12 November. The Biratnagar captain took six wickets for 27 runs, including a hat-trick, to bowl Pokhara out for 132 — and the defeat ends Pokhara's playoff hopes, making them the first team officially out of the race.
Biratnagar chased the target down with four balls to spare, reaching 136 for 6 in 19.2 overs, and kept their own playoff hopes alive with a third win in six games.
Lamichhane's six-for turns the match
Pokhara won the toss and chose to bat, but their innings never got going around Yuvraj Samra. The opener top-scored with an impressive 84 off 47 balls, hitting seven fours and five sixes, yet he received almost no support from the other batters. Pokhara lost two early wickets with just 11 runs on the board, and after Samra steadied things, his dismissal at 122 triggered another collapse — the last five wickets fell for just 10 runs.
Lamichhane was the star with the ball, claiming six wickets for 27 runs in four overs, including a hat-trick. Dhananjaya Lakshan, with 22 off 15, was the only other Pokhara batter to reach double figures apart from Sunny BK's 12. Rupesh Singh took one wicket, while Angelo Mathews and Charith Asalanka claimed one each.
It was a captain's performance in every sense: Lamichhane was named Player of the Match for the spell that kept Pokhara to a modest total.
The chase: wobble, then Udana finishes it
Biratnagar's reply started badly too. Imran Sheikh and Charith Asalanka fell early, and although Lokesh Bam scored 33 off 27 balls and Basir Ahamad contributed 37 off 39 deliveries, Pokhara kept taking wickets at regular intervals. When Basir fell, Biratnagar were 105 for 6 in 16.5 overs, needing 28 runs from 19 balls.
That is when Isuru Udana turned the match. The Sri Lankan all-rounder smashed an unbeaten 25 off just 12 balls, including four fours and a six, while Shehan Jayasuriya stayed unbeaten on 17 off 14 balls. The pair's unbroken 31-run stand carried Biratnagar home with four balls remaining.
For Pokhara, Kushal Bhurtel and Ramesh Mendis claimed two wickets each, while Bipin Khatri and Dhananjaya Lakshan took one apiece — but the total was simply too small to defend.
Brief scores
Pokhara Avengers 132 all out in 17.5 overs (Yuvraj Samra 84 off 47, Dhananjaya Lakshan 22 off 15; Sandeep Lamichhane 6-27, Rupesh Singh 1-2, Angelo Mathews 1-22, Charith Asalanka 1-28) lost to Biratnagar Kings 136 for 6 in 19.2 overs (Basir Ahamad 37 off 39, Lokesh Bam 33 off 27, Isuru Udana 25 not out off 12, Shehan Jayasuriya 17 not out off 14; Kushal Bhurtel 2-21, Ramesh Mendis 2-29) by four wickets. Player of the Match: Sandeep Lamichhane.
What it means for the points table
The result leaves Biratnagar with three wins from six games, and their playoff hopes are still alive heading into the final stretch of the league stage. Pokhara, meanwhile, are officially out of the playoff race — the first team to be eliminated. They sit at the bottom of the points table with just two points, and their journey in the tournament ends at the group stage.
It is a sharp fall for a side that had only just registered its first win of the season, when Samra's century powered them past Karnali Yaks. The same batter top-scored again here, but this time there was no rescue act to follow Lamichhane's spell.
What happens next
Match 23 has already been played — D'Arcy Short's 46 took Lumbini Lions past Karnali Yaks by four wickets, making Lumbini the first team into the playoffs. Biratnagar, with their playoff hopes alive, will be watching the table closely as the league stage heads towards its finish.
FAQs
Who won NPL Match 22 between Biratnagar Kings and Pokhara Avengers?
Biratnagar Kings won by four wickets. Pokhara were bowled out for 132 in 17.5 overs, and Biratnagar chased the target down, reaching 136 for 6 in 19.2 overs with four balls remaining.
How many wickets did Sandeep Lamichhane take?
Sandeep Lamichhane took six wickets for 27 runs in four overs, including a hat-trick. The Biratnagar captain was named Player of the Match for the spell.
Who top-scored for Pokhara Avengers?
Yuvraj Samra top-scored with 84 off 47 balls, hitting seven fours and five sixes. Dhananjaya Lakshan, with 22, was the only other Pokhara batter to pass 20.
How did Biratnagar Kings win the chase?
After slipping to 105 for 6 in 16.5 overs, needing 28 from 19 balls, Isuru Udana's unbeaten 25 off 12 balls and Shehan Jayasuriya's unbeaten 17 off 14 carried Biratnagar home in an unbroken 31-run stand.
Are Pokhara Avengers out of the NPL playoff race?
Yes. The defeat to Biratnagar officially eliminated Pokhara Avengers from the playoff race — the first team to be knocked out. They sit at the bottom of the points table with just two points. Biratnagar, with three wins from six games, keep their playoff hopes alive.
Conclusion
This was Sandeep Lamichhane's match. Six wickets, a hat-trick, and a captain's spell that broke Pokhara's innings in two — and then, when the chase wobbled, Isuru Udana's late hitting made sure the good work was not wasted. Biratnagar stay in the playoff hunt with a third win in six games. Pokhara, despite Yuvraj Samra's second big innings in a row, are the first team out of the race, and their season now ends at the group stage.
Also on CricVic: Sudurpaschim Royals defend 120 to beat Janakpur Bolts by 27 runs in NPL Match 21
Also on CricVic: Yuvraj Samra's century powers Pokhara Avengers to first NPL win as Karnali Yaks lose by 63 runs
Sources: OnlineKhabar — Lamichhane's hat-trick powers Biratnagar Kings to four-wicket win over Pokhara Avengers, CricTracker — Biratnagar Kings vs Pokhara Avengers full scorecard