In a nail-biting finish to their Nepal Premier League (NPL) clash on Thursday, the Pokhara Avengers clinched a dramatic victory in a super over against the Biratnagar Kings, effectively knocking the Kings out of playoff contention. The thrilling encounter kept fans on the edge of their seats, with both teams giving their all, but it was Pokhara who emerged victorious in the end.
Biratnagar Sets a Challenging Target
Biratnagar Kings were the first to bat and posted a modest total of 139/7 in their 20 overs. Lokesh Bam played a steady knock, top-scoring with 26 runs. Scott Edwards contributed a solid 45 runs, while Nicholas Kirton added 19 runs to the total. Despite the relatively low total, Biratnagar’s middle order struggled to make a significant impact.
Pokhara’s bowlers were in fine form, limiting Biratnagar to a below-par score. Sagar Dhakal and Raymon Reifer led the charge, both claiming two wickets each, while Dinesh Kharel and Kushal Bhurtel added a wicket to their tally. The bowling effort kept the Biratnagar batsmen in check throughout the innings.
Avengers’ Response Falls Short, But Super Over Awaits
Chasing 140 for victory, the Pokhara Avengers fought hard but only managed to match the target, scoring 139/6 in their 20 overs. Andries Gous was the backbone of the chase, scoring 39 runs. Kushal Bhurtel and Raymon Reifer also made valuable contributions, with 31 and 34 runs, respectively.
Biratnagar’s standout bowler, Pratish GC, was the one who kept them in the game, taking a stunning four wickets and threatening to derail the Avengers’ chase. However, despite his efforts, the match ended in a thrilling tie, pushing the game into the exciting super over.
A Super Over to Remember
The super over that followed was the defining moment of the match. Pokhara Avengers batted first and set a challenging target of 19 runs for Biratnagar. Reifer was the star with the bat, smashing two sixes and a four in the first four balls of the super over against Biratnagar’s captain, Sandeep Lamichhane.
In response, Biratnagar struggled to make an impact. They could only manage five runs in the super over, unable to find the boundaries against Reifer’s tight and disciplined bowling. Martin Guptill and Nicholas Kirton tried their best, but they were unable to get the big shots needed to take the game any further, sealing the victory for Pokhara.
Pokhara Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive
With this thrilling win, the Pokhara Avengers stay firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot. On the other hand, Biratnagar Kings are now eliminated from playoff contention, joining the Lumbini Lions as the second team to be knocked out of the race.
The match was a testament to the excitement and unpredictability of the Nepal Premier League, and Pokhara’s triumph in the super over was a moment of pure cricketing drama.
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