Kathmandu Gorkhas Sets 166-Run Target for Pokhara Avengers

With half-centuries from opener Ben Charlesworth and Bhim Sharki, the Kathmandu Gorkhas have set a target of 166 runs for the Pokhara Avengers in the Siddhartha Bank Nepal Premier League (NPL).

After losing the toss at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur, Kathmandu batted first and scored 165 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Opener Charlesworth scored 64 runs off 55 balls. Even though wickets kept falling at the other end, he held the innings together until the 19th over. His innings included 5 fours and 2 sixes.

Bhim Sharki played aggressively and hit a half-century in just 19 balls — the fastest in this NPL season. He scored 55 runs off 23 balls, hitting 5 fours and 4 sixes.

Kathmandu was struggling at 79 runs for 5 wickets, but Charlesworth and Sharki built an important partnership for the sixth wicket.

The other opener, Akash Tripathi, was bowled by Dhananjaya Lakshan without scoring. Rasid Khan scored 7 runs before getting out. Charlesworth and Milind Kumar tried to rebuild the innings but Milind was out for 13 after a 33-run stand. Wicketkeeper John Simpson (2) and Mohammad Adil Alam (7) were also dismissed quickly, leaving Kathmandu in trouble at 79/5.

Coming in at number seven, Bhim Sharki partnered well with Charlesworth to lift the innings.

For Pokhara, Dhananjaya Lakshan bowled impressively, taking 4 wickets for just 16 runs in 4 overs, including a maiden over. Captain Kushal Bhurtel took 2 wickets, while Bipin Khatri and Kiran Thagunna took one wicket each.