Lumbini climb to top of NPL table with comfortable win over Pokhara

Lumbini Lions moved to the top of the Nepal Premier League table after a comfortable eight wicket win over Pokhara Avengers at the TU International Ground, Kirtipur, on Tuesday. The win was sealed well before the end of the scheduled overs, and it left Pokhara still looking for a first victory of the season.

Pokhara batted first after losing the toss. Chasing a first win after two defeats, they were held to 97 for 9 in their full 20 overs.

Chamika Karunaratne top scored for Pokhara with 25, while captain Kushal Bhurtel made 14. The rest of the batting line-up could not build a long innings, and wickets fell at regular intervals as Lumbini kept control with the ball.

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Ruben Trumpelmann was the pick of the Lumbini bowlers, taking three wickets, while Tilak Bhandari took two. Their spells helped keep Pokhara below 100 and set up a modest chase for Lumbini.

Lumbini, set 98 to win, reached 98 for 2 in 11.4 overs. They lost only two wickets on the way to a win by eight wickets, finishing with 50 balls still to be bowled.

The result took Lumbini to five points from three matches. With two wins and one match ending without a result because of rain, they remain unbeaten and now sit at the top of the table.

Pokhara, in contrast, have now lost all three of their matches. After another disappointing batting display, they remain without a victory this season and will need a sharp improvement to get their campaign going. Their bowlers had little total to defend, and Lumbini chased it down without being put under sustained pressure.