Sudurpaschim Royals Win vs Pokhara Avengers | NPL Match Highlights
28th October 2026, Kathmandu
NPL 2026: Dipendra Singh Airee’s Half-Century Guides Sudurpaschim Royals to 6-Wicket Victory Over Pokhara Avengers
Sudurpaschim Royals secured their first Nepal Premier League (NPL) victory with a 6-wicket win over Pokhara Avengers, powered by Dipendra Singh Airee’s half-century.
Captain Dipendra Singh Airee delivered a stellar all-round performance, scoring an unbeaten half-century and anchoring a match-winning partnership with Ishan Pandey to secure Sudurpaschim Royals’ first victory in the ongoing Nepal Premier League (NPL). Sudurpaschim defeated Pokhara Avengers by 6 wickets at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Wednesday.
Chasing a target of 146 runs, Sudurpaschim comfortingly reached 146/4 in 16.5 overs, leaving Pokhara searching for their first-ever victory against Sudurpaschim in NPL history.
Key Match Highlights
Match Result: Sudurpaschim Royals won by 6 wickets (with 19 balls remaining).
Player of the Chase: Captain Dipendra Singh Airee (51 off 36 balls).
Standout Partnership: 74 runs for the 4th wicket between Dipendra Singh Airee and Ishan Pandey (37).
Top Bowler: Anil Kharel (3/23) in 3 overs for Sudurpaschim Royals.
Sudurpaschim Chase: Dipendra & Ishan Lead the Recovery
Sudurpaschim’s chase got off to a shaky start when opener Binod Bhandari was bowled for 4 in the very first over by Dhananjaya Lakshan. Brandon McMullen played a brisk cameo of 22 off 12 balls (2 fours, 1 six) before being trapped LBW by Shakib Al Hasan.
With the Royals in a tricky position, skipper Dipendra Singh Airee joined Ishan Pandey to construct a decisive 74-run partnership for the fourth wicket:
Dipendra Singh Airee: Remained unbeaten on 51 runs off 36 balls, striking 4 fours and 2 sixes. He became only the second batsman to score a half-century in this edition of the NPL, following Chitwan’s Dawid Malan.
Ishan Pandey: Scored a valuable 37 runs off 31 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes) before falling LBW to Mehedi Hasan.
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Pokhara’s bowling attack saw Dhananjaya Lakshan, Mehedi Hasan, and Shakib Al Hasan claim a wicket each, but they were unable to halt Sudurpaschim’s momentum.
First Innings: Pokhara Restricted to 145/7
Earlier in the day, Sudurpaschim Royals won the toss and elected to field. Pokhara Avengers managed to put up 145/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Top Scorer for Pokhara: Arjun Gharti provided a late flourish, staying unbeaten on 40 runs off 25 balls (4 fours, 1 six).
Opening Stand: Mehedi Hasan set a fast pace with 32 off 21 balls before being caught by Dipendra off Anil Kharel’s bowling.
Middle Order: Captain Kushal Bhurtel added 21, while Shakib Al Hasan contributed 14.
Sudurpaschim spinner Anil Kharel was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 23 runs in his 3-over spell. Scott Kuggeleijn, Hemant Dhami, Abinash Bohara, and Dipendra Singh Airee chipped in with one wicket apiece.
NPL Upcoming Fixtures
The action continues in the Nepal Premier League on Thursday with a double-header at the TU Cricket Ground:
Match 1 (12:00 PM NPT): Janakpur Bolts vs Kathmandu Gurkhas
Janakpur will look to bounce back after a 19-run defeat against Karnali, while Kathmandu will feature in their season opener.
Match 2 (5:00 PM NPT): Biratnagar Kings vs Karnali Yaks
Biratnagar aims for a comeback after an 8-run loss to Chitwan in their opening fixture.
