Sakib and Mehedi shine on Nepal Premier League debut, but Pokhara lose
Bangladeshi all-rounders Sakib Al Hasan and Sheikh Mehedi Hasan shone with bat and ball in their first Nepal Premier League (NPL) match. Their team, Pokhara Avengers, nevertheless lost by six wickets to Sudurpashchim Royals.
Batting first in Kirtipur, opener Sheikh Mehedi gave Pokhara a bright start, hitting 32 off 21 balls with four fours and a six. He was unable to build on the start, however, falling caught off Anil Kharel.
Sakib, coming in at number four, also failed to meet expectations. He scored 14 off 16 balls before Kharel dismissed him as well.
A late flourish from Arun Gharti gave Pokhara a fighting total. He finished unbeaten on 40 off 25 balls, with four fours and a six, as the side posted 145 for seven in their 20 overs. Anil Kharel was Sudurpashchim's most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 23 runs.
Sudurpashchim lost a wicket early in the chase, with Saif Zaib run out in the first over. Sakib then trapped Brendan McMullen lbw, and Sheikh Mehedi also opened his account with an lbw dismissal, raising Pokhara's hopes of a comeback.
Those hopes were not fulfilled. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee's unbeaten 51 made the chase comfortable, and Shefarn Rutherford's unbeaten eight sealed the win at the end. Sudurpashchim reached the target with 19 balls to spare.
The two Bangladeshis were near-identical with the ball as well: each bowled four overs and took one wicket. Pokhara ultimately paid for failing to build a bigger total with the bat.
After starting the tournament with a defeat, Pokhara now look to bounce back. Sakib and Mehedi's side face Janakpur Bolts in their next match on Sunday.
