Kathmandu. Sudurpaschim Royals defeated Pokhara Avengers in the first match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL).

In the first match, Sudurpaschim defeated Pokhara by 6 wickets.

Chasing the target of 146 runs, Sudurpaschim Royals chased down the target in 16.5 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Skipper Dipendra Singh Airee scored an unbeaten 51 runs while Ishan Pandey scored 37 runs. Brandon McCullen scored 22 runs while Saif Zaib contributed 15 runs. Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy and Dhananjay Laxan took one wicket each for Pokhara.

Earlier, Pokhara scored 145 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs. For Pokhara, Arjun Gharti scored an unbeaten 40 runs in 25 balls, while Mahedi Hasan scored 32 runs, Kushal Bhurtel scored 21 runs and Shakib Al Hasan scored 14 runs. Anil Kharel took 3 wickets while Hemant Dhami, Scott Kuggeleijn and Dipendra Singh Airee took one wicket each.

This is the first win in the second match of the Far-Western Royals. Sudurpaschim has made a comeback after losing to Lumbini Lions in the first match. Pokhara has started the tournament with a loss.

In the NPL, Janakpur Bolts will take on Kathmandu Gorkhas, while Biratnagar Kings will take on Karnali Yaks.