KATHMANDU: Sudurpaschim Royals became the third team to reach the playoffs after defeating Pokhara Avengers by 5 runs in a match held on Sunday under the Nepal Premier League Cricket Competition.
Chasing a target of 154 runs set by Sudur, Pokhara could only score 148 runs in 19.4 overs for the loss of wickets. With the win, Sudur has climbed to the top spot with 10 points from 6 matches. Sudur will play the final match of the league stage against Karnali Yaks on Tuesday. Pokhara, on the other hand, has finished the tournament with 6 points from 7 matches. Janakpur Bolds is in second place with 10 points, while Chitwan Rhinos, Karnali and Kathmandu Gurkhas have eight points each.
Scott Kuggeleijn of Sudur took the most wickets, five. He bowled 3.4 overs and gave up 18 runs, taking one maiden. Harmit Singh took three and Saif Zaib took one wicket.
Pokhara had a poor start. Pokhara lost opener Dinesh Kharel, captain Kushal Bhurtel and Dilip Nath in the first power play. After Dinesh was dismissed for 15, Kushal for zero and Dilip for one, Pokhara came under pressure. In the next over after the power play ended, opener Andres Gauss, who was batting brilliantly, was also caught by Arif Sheikh off Saif Zaib for 36.
He hit four fours and two sixes in 21 balls. Then, when Zain Malik was dismissed for 10 runs, Pokhara was at 5-69 in 10.1 overs. However, Reifer and Kiran Thagunna tried to bring Pokhara back into the game by putting on a huge 70-run partnership for the sixth wicket. However, Reifer was caught near the boundary line by Naren Saud in the 18.1 overs while trying to hit Harmit Singh's ball for a six. He contributed 33 runs in 28 balls, including two fours and a six.
Sudur came back into the game after Michael Lisk and Kiran Thagunna returned to the pavilion for 32 runs. Sudeep Aryal and Bipin Khatri were dismissed for zero runs.
1672397318_680.jpg)
