The Last League Game of the Season: Kathmandu Chase Top Spot, Pokhara Play for Pride
Kathmandu Gorkhas go into Friday's top-of-the-table game with Sudurpaschim on eight points from five. Pokhara Avengers are bottom with one win from six and can no longer reach the top four, but in Yuvraaj Samra they have one of the batters of the season.
The match
This is the 28th and final league game of the season. As of Thursday night, Kathmandu Gorkhas were second with eight points from five games and a net run rate of +1.168. They play Sudurpaschim Royals, also on eight points, on Friday, so by Sunday they will either be pushing for first place or trying to hold on to a top-two finish, which gives a side two chances to reach the final. Pokhara Avengers are bottom with two points from six games. Their one win was a big one, by 63 runs over Karnali, but they lost to Biratnagar by four wickets on Thursday and can no longer reach the playoffs. For them, this is about finishing well.
Pitch and possible XIs
The 4:15 PM games at Kirtipur have mostly been lower-scoring, with many totals between 120 and 160. Pokhara's batting is mostly one man at the moment. Yuvraaj Samra made 102 off 48 against Karnali and 84 off 47 against Biratnagar, but on Thursday the next best score was 22, and Sandeep Lamichhane took 6 for 27 as they were bowled out for 132. Kathmandu have the stronger side. Rashid Khan made 52 off 30 against Chitwan, David Warner 66 against Lumbini, and Jahandad Khan took 4 for 23 in that Lumbini game. Around 150 may be a good score.
A possible Avengers XI, based on Thursday's side: Yuvraaj Samra, Arjun Kumal, Kushal Bhurtel, Arjun Gharti, Sunny BK, Ramesh Mendis, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Chamika Karunaratne, Kiran Thagunna, Bipin Khatri, Sagar Dhakal. A possible Gorkhas XI, based on their last completed game: Sahil Patel (wk), David Warner, William Bosisto, Rashid Khan, Sahan Arachchige, Jahandad Khan, Karan KC (c), Mohammad Aadil Alam, Bhim Sharki, Santosh Yadav, Ganesh Gautam. If Kathmandu's place is settled by Friday, they may rest a player or two before the playoffs.
The verdict
Kathmandu have the better side, the better form and, perhaps, more to play for, so we lean towards them, with some confidence. But Pokhara have nothing to lose, and if Samra bats through the innings again, this could be a much closer game than the table suggests. Pokhara Avengers vs Kathmandu Gorkhas, Nepal Premier League 2026, Kirtipur — Sunday, November 15, 4:15 PM IST.