Biratnagar make record total to defeat Pokhara by a big margin

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Nov 18, 2025

Biratnagar Kings produced a commanding performance in the second match of Tuesday's NPL double header, securing a dominant 53-run victory over Pokhara Avengers.

Batting first, Biratnagar posted a massive 220 for 6 in 20 overs, which is the highest total in NPL history that sett the tone for a one-sided contest.

Lokesh Bam anchored the innings with a composed yet powerful 72 off 48 balls, while Martin Guptill played with trademark aggression to smash 61 off 35 deliveries. Their partnership laid the foundation for a late-innings surge, further fuelled by Shubham Ranjane’s explosive 38 off 16 and Basir Ahmad’s handy 23.

Chasing an imposing 221, Pokhara made a bright start, with captain Kushal Bhurtel striking a determined half-century and putting on a strong stand with Adam Rossington, who contributed 39.

The pair lifted the team to 77 inside the powerplay, giving Pokhara early hope.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically once Rossington was dismissed. In the very next over, Biratnagar captain Sandeep Lamichhane delivered a match-turning spell, taking two wickets in three balls, including removing Jimmy Neesham for a golden duck and dismissing Tritraj Das with none providing support to skipper Bhurtel.

The collapse that followed left Pokhara unable to recover, as wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals. Biratnagar’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings, with Pratish GC, Sandeep Lamichhane and Shubham Ranjane each claiming two wickets.

South African pacer Merchant de Lange also took two but proved expensive, while Basir Ahmad and Surya Tamang added one wicket apiece.

Pokhara were eventually bowled out for 167, well short of the target.

Speaking after the match, Bhurtel acknowledged that the steady fall of wickets created mounting pressure despite the positive start.

Sandeep, on the other hand, said the team had intentionally aimed for a big total given the likelihood of evening dew, and praised his batters for executing the plan perfectly.