Arjun Kumal
Kushal Bhurtel
Sadeera Samarawickrama
Bipin Acharya
Shakib Al Hasan
Mahedi Hasan
Ruben Trumpelmann
Kishore Mahato
Sher Malla
Abhishesh Gautam
Tilak Raj Bhandari
Aasif Sheikh
D'Arcy Short
Rohit Paudel✱
Niroshan Dickwella✱
Bipin Khatri
Chamika Karunaratne
The atmosphere at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground was electric on Tuesday evening as Lumbini Lions mounted a nerve‑wracking chase, clinching a two‑wicket win over Pokhara Avengers with just 12 balls to spare. Rohit Paudel’s explosive 47 off 32 balls became the defining moment, turning a modest target of 98 into a memorable victory for the Lions.
Match Summary
Winning the toss, Lumbini Lions elected to bowl, hoping to exploit the early evening conditions. Pokhara Avengers, however, struggled to find rhythm against a disciplined attack. Ruben Trumpelmann led the charge with figures of 3/16 in 4 overs, while Sher Malla added a tidy 1/24 in 4 overs. The Avengers could muster only 97‑9 in their full 20 overs, a sub‑100 total that left the Lions with a clear, though not easy, path to victory.
Chasing 98, Lumbini Lions lost early wickets but recovered thanks to Paudel’s aggressive stroke‑play. He struck at a strike‑rate of 147, finding boundaries all around the ground. Bipin Khatri chipped in with a tight spell of 1/20 in 2 overs, restricting the middle order. The Lions reached the target in 11.4 overs, finishing at 98‑2. The win not only gave them three points but also highlighted the depth of their batting line‑up.
Key Performances
Rohit Paudel (Lumbini Lions) – 47 (32 balls): Paudel’s innings was the catalyst. He smashed five fours and three sixes, timing the ball with precision and keeping the required run‑rate well within reach. His partnership with the opening batsman steadied the chase after early setbacks.
Ruben Trumpelmann (Pokhara Avengers) – 3/16 (4 overs): The South African pacer was the most threatening bowler on the day, delivering a mix of yorkers and slower balls that kept the Lions on the back foot.
Sher Malla (Pokhara Avengers) – 1/24 (4 overs): Malla provided a useful spell, maintaining a low economy and picking up a crucial wicket.
Bipin Khatri (Lumbini Lions) – 1/20 (2 overs): Khatri’s short spell was vital in the death overs, preventing the Avengers from building any late momentum.
Turning Points
The first turning point arrived early when Trumpelmann dismissed the Avengers’ top order for just 20 runs, leaving them reeling at 30‑3. The second crucial moment came in the Lions’ chase when Paudel, on 18 runs, accelerated with a flurry of boundaries, pushing the required run‑rate below 8 per over. A well‑timed six off the fourth ball of the 10th over shifted the momentum decisively in the Lions’ favour.
Another pivotal episode unfolded when the Lions lost two quick wickets at 45‑2, putting the chase in jeopardy. Paudel’s calm composure, coupled with a single from the lower order, steadied the innings and set up a final partnership that sealed the win.
Series Implications
This victory gives Lumbini Lions a vital edge in the Nepal Premier League 2026 standings, especially as the teams are currently level on head‑to‑head records (2‑2). The win boosts the Lions’ confidence heading into the next round of fixtures, where they will face a must‑win scenario against a fellow contender.
For Pokhara Avengers, the loss is a stark reminder of the importance of building partnerships and rotating the strike against disciplined bowling. Their bowlers showed promise, but the batting line‑up will need to adapt quickly if they are to stay in contention.
Fans searching for the Pokhara Avengers vs Lumbini Lions T20 Tues match can revisit the Nepal Premier League 2026 live score feed for detailed ball‑by‑ball updates. The Pokhara Avengers T20 score of 97‑9 and the thrilling chase by the Lions have already become talking points across social media, highlighting the growing popularity of domestic T20 cricket in Nepal.
Overall, the match delivered high drama, clutch performances, and a reminder that in T20 cricket, a single innings like Paudel’s can turn the tide. As the tournament progresses, both teams will look to refine their strategies, but for now, Lumbini Lions celebrate a well‑earned triumph in Kirtipur.