Biratnagar Kings delivered a powerhouse performance to defeat Pokhara Avengers by 53 runs in the third match of the Nepal Premier League 2025 at the TU International Cricket Ground on Tuesday night. In a historic display of batting firepower, Biratnagar blasted 220 for 6, setting a new record for the highest team total in NPL history, before bowling out Pokhara for 167 in 18.5 overs.
The innings was built on a superb effort from Lokesh Bam, who played one of the finest knocks of the tournament with a fluent 72 off 48 balls. His shot selection and tempo control laid the perfect foundation at the top. Alongside him, former New Zealand international Martin Guptill produced a brutal 61 off 35 deliveries, striking five fours and five sixes in a trademark display of clean, authoritative hitting. Their partnership powered Biratnagar to 100 in under ten overs and firmly set them on course for a huge total. That platform allowed Shubham Ranjane to launch late fireworks with a blistering 38 off 16 balls, driving Biratnagar past the 200-run mark and into record territory.
Pokhara’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught throughout the innings. Matt Taylor picked up two wickets but went for 48, while Aakash Chand and Sandeep Lamichhane managed one each. Despite their efforts, none of the Avengers’ bowlers were able to stem the relentless flow of boundaries as Biratnagar maintained a run rate above eleven per over and ultimately rewrote the league record books.
In response, Pokhara Avengers showed early aggression but were pegged back by regular wickets. Adam Rossington’s lively 39 off 21 balls kept them in the contest initially, while captain Kushal Bhurtel fought valiantly with a superb 59 from 31 balls, striking nine boundaries. However, the required rate ballooned as wickets fell around him, and Pokhara’s chase never truly settled into rhythm.
Biratnagar’s bowlers executed their plans with discipline and precision. Matt Taylor delivered key breakthroughs during the middle overs, while Sagar Dhakal, Dan Douthwaite, and Shubham Ranjane kept Pokhara under constant pressure. From 147 for 7, the Avengers collapsed to 167, falling comfortably short of the imposing target.
The result gives Biratnagar Kings immense early momentum in the tournament and marks a significant moment in NPL history with their record-breaking total. Lokesh Bam was named Player of the Match for his anchoring 72 that set the tone for the Kings’ dominant performance. Pokhara, meanwhile, face the challenge of regrouping quickly after struggling both with the ball and in their chase.
