Key Takeaways:

• Lumbini Lions defeated Pokhara Avengers by eight wickets
• Rohit Paudel remained unbeaten on 47 in the chase
• Pokhara were restricted to 97 for 9 in 20 overs
• Lumbini remain unbeaten while Pokhara are still searching for their first win of the season

KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 3 Defending champions Lumbini Lions maintained their unbeaten start to the Nepal Premier League with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Pokhara Avengers at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground on Monday. After restricting Pokhara to just 97 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs, Lumbini comfortably chased down the target in 11.4 overs, further strengthening their position in the tournament standings. Captain Rohit Paudel anchored the chase with an unbeaten 47 off 32 balls, while Niroshan Dickwella remained not out on 27 from 26 deliveries. D'Arcy Short provided quick support with 13 runs from six balls. Pokhara's lone breakthrough came through Bipin Khatri, while opener Aasif Sheikh was run out during the chase. Earlier, Pokhara struggled to build momentum after being sent in to bat. Chamika Karunaratne top-scored with 25 runs, while captain Kushal Bhurtel made 14. Mahedi Hasan contributed 13 and Kiran Thagunna added 12, but no batter was able to convert a start into a significant innings. Lumbini's bowlers dominated throughout the innings. Ruben Trumpelmann claimed three wickets, Tilak Bhandari took two, while Sher Malla, Abhishesh Gautam and Rohit Paudel picked up one wicket each. The victory keeps Lumbini unbeaten in the current edition of the NPL, with two wins and one abandoned match. Pokhara Avengers, meanwhile, remain without a victory after three matches and face increasing pressure to revive their campaign.