KATHMANDU: Sudurpaschim Royals have set a target of 154 runs against Pokhara Avengers in the Nepal Premier League (NPL). Sudurpaschim, who came into bat after losing the toss at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Sunday, posted a total of 153 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
Arif Sheikh scored an unbeaten 42 runs for Sudurpaschim. He hit 2 fours and 1 six in 38 balls. Before that, openers Saif Jaib and Binod Bhandari were out for 9 runs and 14 runs. Saif was bowled by Pokhara's Raymond Reifer in the second over. Bhandari was caught by Vipin Khatri off Pokhara captain Kushal Bhurtel in the seventh over.
In the same over in which Bhandari was out, Brandon McMullan was also out for 23 runs. Bhurtel caught him off Sagar Dhakal. In the tenth over, Harmeet Singh was caught by Michael Lisk for 13 runs off Sudip Aryal. In the last ball of the 15th over, Sudurpaschim captain Deependra Singh Airi was caught LBW by Sagar Dhakal while playing for 20 runs. He hit 1 six in 16 balls.
Sudurpaschim had retired Ishan Pandey for 10 runs in the first ball of the 19th over and brought Scott Kuggeleijn into the batting. Pokhara captain Bhurtel took 2 wickets in the bowling while Reifer, Sagar Dhakal and Michael Lisk took 1 wicket each. Pokhara has already been eliminated before the last match.
