Janakpur set Pokhara 148-run target in NPL

KATHMANDU: Janakpur Bolts have given Pokhara Avengers a target of 148 runs after scoring 147 for seven in their allotted 20 overs in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Sunday.

Sent in to bat first in Match No. 9 at the TU International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, the Bolts struggled to accelerate for much of their innings despite their openers adding 47 runs for the first wicket.
Trit Raj Das top-scored for the side, scoring 61 off 55 balls. Abhishek Tiwari provided a late boost with an unbeaten 24 off just 10 deliveries, while opener Moeen Ali contributed 21 off 16 balls. James Neesham made 11 off 11 deliveries. Harmeet Singh and Anil Sah chipped in with nine runs each.

Shakib Al Hasan was the pick of the Pokhara bowlers, claiming three wickets for just 15 runs in his four-over spell. Chamika Karunaratne took two wickets, both in the final over, while Mahedi Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin picked up one wicket each.

Karunaratne’s double strike in the 20th over prevented Pokhara from making a stronger finish.