Pokhara Avengers roared to their first win of the tournament with a commanding 10-wicket victory over Lumbini Lions on Friday at TU International Cricket Ground. Chasing 171, the opening duo of Andries Gous and Dinesh Kharel delivered a record-breaking partnership to finish the match in just 17.5 overs, handing Lumbini a crushing defeat.
Electing to bat first, Lumbini Lions struggled to get going early. Arjun Saud was dropped from the XI, with Indian U19 World Cup-winning captain Unmukt Chand brought in to strengthen the batting. However, Chand’s debut was a disappointment as he fell for a duck, trapped LBW by Bipin Khatri. The Lions lost both openers for ducks inside the powerplay, leaving the team reeling.
Captain Rohit Paudel held the innings together with a brilliant knock, falling just short of a century. Paudel’s 95 off 59 balls included 10 boundaries and 4 sixes, showcasing his ability to innovate with scoops and reverse sweeps. His innings ended in heartbreak when a sharp throw from Michael Leask caught him short of the crease while running for a third run on the final ball.
Tom Moores provided solid support with 45 runs off 38 deliveries, featuring two fours and two sixes. However, Lumbini’s innings was once again plagued by poor running between the wickets. Two batters were run out, taking their tally to six run-outs in just two matches. The Lions eventually posted 170, a total that looked competitive but proved inadequate.
For Pokhara Avengers, Bipin Khatri stood out with figures of 3-0-18-2, picking up both openers. Michael Leask added one wicket, as the Avengers bowlers kept the Lions in check.
The chase was a one-sided affair, with Gous and Kharel putting on a clinic. They started with a blistering 80-run stand in the powerplay, the highest in the tournament so far. Andries Gous was unstoppable, smashing 104 runs off just 55 balls, with 12 fours and 5 sixes, most of them exquisite drives over the off-side. His knock left the Lions bowlers helpless.
Dinesh Kharel provided excellent support, scoring an unbeaten 61 off 46 deliveries with 4 fours and 4 sixes. Together, the pair forged an unbroken 176-run partnership, a new tournament record, to finish the game with 19 balls to spare.
Lumbini Lions employed seven bowlers in a desperate attempt to break the partnership, but none could find a breakthrough. No bowler managed to complete their quota, and the Lions looked deflated as the game slipped away.
This comprehensive victory gives Pokhara Avengers their first points, while Lumbini Lions face serious questions about their running between the wickets and bowling depth ahead of their next game.
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