The Pokhara Avengers secured their first win of the 2026 Nepal Premier League (NPL) by defeating the Karnali Yaks by 63 runs, thanks to Yuvraaj Samra’s impressive century.
The team showcased their batting skills, scoring 217 runs for 3 wickets in 20 overs. Karnali Yaks struggled, managing only 154 runs in 18.3 overs.
Yuvraaj Samra Achieves Century in NPL 2026
Samra stole the spotlight with a remarkable century off just 48 balls, including 10 fours and six sixes. He reached his half-century in 23 balls and completed his century in 45 balls. This made him the first player to score a century in the third edition of the NPL and the fourth in the league’s history, marking a milestone in the official T20 format. Unfortunately, he was dismissed in the 16th over after a crucial partnership of 136 runs with captain Kushal Bhurtel.
Kushal Bhurtel and Chamika Karunaratne Shine
Bhurtel supported Samra with a solid 62 runs off 39 balls, hitting seven sixes to boost Pokhara’s scoring rate. After the dismissals of Samra and Bhurtel, captain Chamika Karunaratne contributed a quick 35 runs off 11 balls, including three fours and sixes, leading the team to a strong total of 217.
Sompal Kami took 2 wickets for 24 runs, while Mark Watt claimed one wicket.
Karnali Yaks Struggle in Pursuit of 218 Runs
Karnali Yaks faced challenges in forming partnerships and lost wickets frequently. Ariful Islam started strong with 24 runs off 13 balls, and Pawan Sarraf added 32 runs off 31 balls. Despite Deepak Dumre’s quick 22 runs off 7 balls, the team couldn’t recover, with captain Sompal Kami scoring 21 runs before being dismissed for obstructing the field. They finished with only 154 runs in 18.3 overs.
Mahedi Hasan Shines for Pokhara
The bowling attack kept the pressure on Karnali throughout their innings. Mahedi Hasan stood out with 3 wickets for 24 runs. Kushal Bhurtel, Dhananjaya Lakshan, and Bipin Khatri each contributed 2 wickets, ensuring a convincing victory for Pokhara.
A New Beginning After the First Victory
This win ended the Pokhara Avengers’ losing streak and earned them valuable points. In contrast, the Karnali Yaks faced their third consecutive defeat after losing their first two matches. With Samra’s century, the Pokhara team may gain renewed confidence as they continue in the NPL.