Verma, Khatri shine in Pokhara’s first victory

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Nov 27, 2025

Pokhara Avengers finally broke their winless run in the Nepal Premier League with a spirited performance against Janakpur Bolts, handing the defending champions their third straight defeat.

In a clash dubbed 'the battle of the bottom', Pokhara outplayed Janakpur in both batting and bowling to collect their first points of the season.

The match was highlighted by outstanding all-round performances from Uganda’s Sumit Verma and local star Bipin Khatri, both of whom played crucial roles in the team's much-needed win.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Pokhara made a solid start through openers Dinesh Kharel and Adam Rossington, scoring 45 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket. However, a sudden collapse between the ninth and eleventh overs saw them lose four wickets.

Verma and Trit Raj Das then steadied the innings, adding a vital fifty-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Verma remained unbeaten on 50 off 29 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes, guiding Pokhara to a competitive total of 155.

Janakpur’s chase began with early fireworks as Maaj Sadakat struck Bipin Khatri’s first ball for six, but the bowler hit back immediately. In the same over, Bipin dismissed Aasif Sheikh and then bowled Shubh Kansakar after he hit a boundary off his first delivery.

Verma followed up with a tight over conceding only two runs, before striking twice in his next over to remove Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Sadakat, leaving Janakpur reeling at four wickets down within five overs.

Khatri continued his decisive spell, claiming the wickets of captain Anil Sah and Mayan Yadav to finish with four wickets. By the tenth over, Janakpur had lost six wickets and were unable to stage a meaningful comeback.

May be an image of text

South African all-rounder Wayne Parnell fought valiantly with an unbeaten fifty off 38 balls, but his efforts proved insufficient as Janakpur fell well short of the target.

After the match, Khatri said that the team had planned to take early wickets to put Janakpur under pressure, and the pitch conditions helped their strategy succeed.

With this result, Pokhara opened their account in the points table, while Janakpur remained winless and at the bottom, needing to win all remaining games to keep their playoff hopes alive.

While Sudurpaschim’s campaign has flourished, defending champions Janakpur Bolts have endured a contrasting journey. Their attempt to retain the title has been derailed by three consecutive defeats, putting their playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.

Janakpur began their season with a loss to Kathmandu Gorkhas, followed by another defeat in the Eastern Derby against Biratnagar Kings.

Now winless after three matches, Janakpur must win all four of their remaining games to remain in contention, as even a single further loss could eliminate them from the league stage.