By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Nov 29, 2025 09:42 AM • 96 views
KIRTIPUR — In a contest defined by dramatic collapses and gritty recoveries, the Lumbini Lions snatched a vital three-wicket victory over the Pokhara Avengers on Saturday, breathing new life into their Nepal Premier League (NPL) campaign. Chasing a competitive target of 151 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, the Lions overcame a shaky start and a tense finish to register only their second win of the season. The victory, dubbed a "cliffhanger" by observers, was essential for Rohit Paudel's side, who entered the match under immense pressure to maintain their path to the playoffs.
The Chase: Resilience Over RRR
Lumbini's pursuit began on shaky ground, with the top order struggling to find rhythm against a disciplined Pokhara attack. However, the innings was stabilised by the composure of skipper Rohit Paudel and the experience of Sri Lankan debutant Niroshan Dickwella. Brought in to replace Thomas Draca, Dickwella partnered with Paudel to arrest an early slide that threatened to derail the chase before it truly began. While the Lions found themselves four wickets down and needing 56 runs off the final 42 balls, they refused to panic. The lower-middle order held their nerve in the dying overs, crossing the finish line with three wickets in hand to secure two crucial points.
Avengers' Innings: A Tale of Two Halves
Earlier in the day, the Pokhara Avengers' innings was a study in contrast. After being sent in to bat by Lumbini, the Avengers' top order capitulated spectacularly, crashing to 33 for 4 inside the first eight overs. Captain Kushal Bhurtel (0) and Sumit Verma (0) were dismissed cheaply, leaving the innings in tatters. It took a monumental rescue act from Adam Rossington and Jimmy Neesham to drag Pokhara back into the contest. Rossington anchored the innings with a superb 81 off 63 balls, striking seven fours and five sixes. He found an able ally in Neesham, whose unbeaten 51 off 32 deliveries provided the late flourish the Avengers desperately needed. The pair stitched together a match-defining 92-run partnership for the fifth wicket, lifting their side to a defendable 150/5. For Lumbini, the bowling honours were shared by Sher Malla (2-23) and Tilak Bhandari (2-25), who were instrumental in the early breakthroughs, while Gulbadin Naib delivered an economical spell of 1-20 in his four overs.
Significance and Farewells
The match carried extra emotional weight as it marked the final NPL appearance of the season for two international stalwarts: Lumbini's Gulbadin Naib and Pokhara's Jimmy Neesham. Both all-rounders are set to depart for the International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE. For the Lumbini Lions, this win is a lifeline. Languishing in the bottom half of the table before this fixture, the victory narrows the gap in the race for the Eliminator. For the Pokhara Avengers, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow, having fought back so valiantly with the bat only to fall short in the final moments of the defence.
Key Takeaway
While Rossington and Neesham proved that power-hitting can salvage a broken innings, Lumbini's victory highlighted the value of holding firm under pressure. As the NPL group stage heats up, the Lions have proven they can win ugly — a trait that will be indispensable if they hope to make a deep tournament run.
