Lamichhane takes hat-trick as Biratnagar Kings end Pokhara’s playoff hopes

KATHMANDU: A brilliant bowling performance by Captain Sandeep Lamichhane helped Biratnagar Kings defeat Pokhara Avengers by four wickets in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Thursday.

The leg spinner took six wickets, including a hat-trick, to end Pokhara’s hopes of reaching the playoffs.

Pokhara became the first team to be eliminated from the playoff race in the ongoing NPL. Out of six matches played so far, Pokhara have managed just one win while suffering five defeats. Even a victory in their last match against Kathmandu Gorkhas will not be enough to secure a playoff berth.

Chasing a target of 133 runs set by Pokhara at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur, Biratnagar reached 136/3 in 19.2 overs.

Basir Ahmed top-scored for Biratnagar with 37 runs, while Lokesh Bam contributed 33. Sahan Jayasuriya scored 17 and Isuru Udana remained unbeaten on 25.

Ramesh Mendis and Kushal Bhurtel took two wickets each for Pokhara, while Bipin Khatri and Dhananjaya Lakshan claimed one wicket apiece.

The victory kept Biratnagar’s playoff hopes alive. With three wins and three defeats from six matches, Biratnagar have six points. They will face defending champions Lumbini Lions in their final league-stage match.

Earlier, Pokhara were bowled out for 132 in 17.5 overs. Sandeep Lamichhane dismantled Pokhara’s batting lineup, taking six wickets for 27 runs in his four overs. In the 15th over, he removed Yuvraj Samra, Chamika Karunaratne and Kiran Thagunna  to became the first bowler to claim a hat-trick in the ongoing NPL. Earlier, he dismissed Sunny Patel and Ramesh Mendis in the 11th over and Arjun Gharti in the seventh.

Angelo Mathews, Rupesh Singh and Charith Asalanka took one wicket each for Biratnagar.

Opener Yuvraj Samra scored 84 runs off 47 balls, while Dhananjaya Lakshan scored 22 and Sunny Patel contributed 12. None of Pokhara’s other batters managed to reach double figures.