In an exhilarating match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), Biratnagar Kings, led by Sandeep Lamichhane, faced defeat against Pokhara Avengers in the Super Over.
Batting first in the Super Over, Pokhara scored 18 runs without losing a wicket. Raymon Reifer played a key role, smashing 17 runs, while Andries Gous added a single run. Reifer struck two sixes off Sandeep Lamichhane’s first two deliveries and followed up with a boundary on the fourth ball. In reply, Biratnagar managed only five runs in the Super Over, with Martin Guptill and Nicholas Kirton scoring just two runs each, alongside an extra run.
This defeat has significantly weakened Biratnagar’s chances of making it to the playoffs, while Pokhara, under the captaincy of Kushal Bhurtel, has revived its playoff hopes with this victory. Pokhara now has four points from five matches with two wins, while Biratnagar remains at two points after suffering their fourth loss in five games.
Earlier, the match at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, ended in a tie, leading to the first Super Over of the ongoing NPL season. Chasing a target of 140 runs, Pokhara scored 139 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. With seven runs needed off the final ball, left-arm spinner Basir Ahamad was hit for a six over deep square leg by Raymon Reifer, taking the match to the Super Over. Pokhara needed 14 runs in the final over, with Narayan Joshi scoring no runs off the first ball before handing the strike to Reifer, who hit a six off the third delivery. Basir bowled two dot balls afterward, leaving seven runs required off the final ball, which Reifer struck for a match-tying six.
For Pokhara in regulation play, Andries Gous was the top scorer with 39 runs, followed by Raymon Reifer’s unbeaten 34 and Kushal Bhurtel’s 31. Dinesh Kharel and Michael Leask added 11 runs each.
In the bowling department, Biratnagar’s Pratish GC excelled with figures of 4/18 in his four overs, while Chris Sole took two wickets.
Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, Biratnagar Kings posted 139 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. Scott Edwards was the top scorer with 45 runs, supported by Lokesh Bam’s 26, Basir Ahmed’s unbeaten 21, and Nicholas Kirton’s 19.
For Pokhara, Sagar Dhakal and Raymon Reifer picked up two wickets each, while Kushal Bhurtel and Dinesh Kharel claimed one wicket apiece.
