Pokhara Avengers kept their playoff hopes alive with a Super Over victory against Biratnagar Kings on Thursday at the TU International Cricket Ground in Nepal Premier League. After winning the toss, Biratnagar Kings made the surprising decision to bat first in the morning conditions and managed 139 runs from 20 overs. Later, Ramon Reifer’s six off the final ball of the second innings tied the scores for both teams, and the match was decided by a Super Over.
Reifer again played a key role, hitting 18 runs in the Super Over, and then bowled superbly, conceding just five runs to seal the deal for the Avengers.
Early Breakthroughs for Pokhara as Kings Struggle to Accelerate
Martin Guptill (5) was clean-bowled by Sagar Dhakal, leaving the Kings with an early loss. Lokesh Bam was the last batter to depart before the end of the powerplay, scoring 26 runs off 16 balls, including two boundaries and two sixes.
The pitch proved challenging for the batters, which hindered the Kings attempts to accelerate the innings. Dutch skipper Scott Edwards, the Kings’ latest signing, was their top scorer with 45 runs, including five boundaries, before falling to Pokhara’s captain, Kushal Bhurtel. Basir Ahamad remained unbeaten on 21 off 20 balls, helping the Kings to a total of 139 runs.
Sagar Dhakal was the most economical bowler for Pokhara, taking two wickets for just 15 runs off four overs. Ramon Reifer also claimed two wickets, while captain Kushal Bhurtel and Dinesh Kharel chipped in with a wicket each. Bipin Khatri went wicketless, conceding 30 runs off three overs.
Pokhara’s Batting on Track, but Late Struggles Force Super Over
Pokhara’s batting started strongly, reaching 59 runs in the powerplay for the loss of just one wicket. Dinesh Kharel, who scored 11 off 11 balls, was the only batter to be dismissed during the powerplay.
Andries Gous top-scored for Pokhara with 39 runs from 27 balls, including seven boundaries, before falling to Pratish GC. Captain Kushal Bhurtel made 31 runs off 24 balls, the highest score of the tournament so far for Pokhara, which included two boundaries and one six, before being caught behind by Edwards.
Following Bhurtel’s departure, Pokhara lost Trit Raj Das without any contribution. After losing big hitter Michael Leask in the 19th over, the Avengers needed 13 runs from the last over. Ramon Reifer (34 off 23) smashed two sixes off Basir Ahamad, taking the match to a Super Over. This marked the first Super Over in Nepal Premier League history.
Kings Fall Short in Super Over as Pokhara Seals the Win
All six wickets Biratnagar took came from pace bowlers, with Pratish GC claiming four wickets for just 18 runs from four overs, while Chris Sole added two wickets. Captain Sandeep Lamichhane had a poor outing, remaining wicketless and continuing his struggles in the tournament with just one wicket to his name.
Sandeep bowled the Super Over for the Kings but was hammered by player of the match Ramon Reifer for 18 runs, including two sixes and a boundary. Martin Guptill and Lokesh Bam then tried to chase the 19-run target, but they could only manage five runs.
Pokhara’s Victory Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive, Biratnagar’s Chances Slim
With this win, Pokhara remains alive in the playoff race, while Biratnagar’s chances look slim with four defeats from five matches.
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