Janakpur Bolts, riding high on back-to-back eight-wicket victories over Biratnagar Kings and Karnali Yaks in the Nepal Premier League, are set to face the struggling Pokhara Avengers on Thursday. The Avengers, reeling from a crushing 87-run defeat at the hands of Chitwan Rhinos, will be desperate to turn their fortunes around.
Bolts Unstoppable Momentum
The Janakpur Bolts have been a picture of consistency, with their balanced team performances leading to commanding wins. Their spin attack, spearheaded by Lalit Rajbanshi, has been lethal, with Rajbanshi claiming four wickets in two games.
The batting lineup has been equally impressive, with contributions across the top order. Lahiru Milantha’s fifty secured their first win, while skipper Anil Sah’s half-century sealed their second victory against Karnali Yaks. The only potential vulnerability lies in their untested middle order, which hasn’t had significant exposure due to the dominance of the top order.
Joshua Tromp, who joined the squad on Wednesday, might bolster their lineup, though the Bolts are likely to stick with their winning combination.
Janakpur Bolts Probable XI
Anil Sah (c), Asif Sheikh (wk), Lahiru Milantha, Harsh Thaker, Jimmy Neesham, Ben Mike, Arniko Yadav, Mohammad Moshin, Lalit Rajbanshi, Tul Bahadur Thapa, Kishore Mahato.
Avengers Struggles and Hopes
The Pokhara Avengers have a mountain to climb after their dismal performance against the Rhinos, where they collapsed to 7/6 in the powerplay. Captain Kushal Bhurtel will need to lead from the front with the bat, as his form will be crucial for the Avengers comeback hopes.
The bright spots for Pokhara include Bipin Khatri’s left-arm spin, which yielded two wickets in the powerplay against Chitwan. Khatri will once again be key, especially against the Bolts right-handed opening pair. The inclusion of USA opener Andries Gous and young bowler Aakash Chand could add much-needed firepower to the lineup.
Pokhara Avengers Probable XI
Kushal Bhurtel (c), Andries Gous, Dilip Nath (wk), Bas de Leede, Kiran Thagunna, Marcus Critchley, Narayan Joshi, Michael Leask, Bipin Khatri, Sagar Dhakal, Akash Chand.
The Avengers will need a collective effort to topple one of the tournament’s strongest teams, while the Bolts aim to extend their winning streak.
Where to Watch
Fans can catch all the action live on Star Sports globally, Fancode in India, Dish Home Go OTT in Nepal, and Action Sports’ YouTube channel in Nepal.
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