NPL 2026 Live – Chitwan Rhinos vs Pokhara Avengers, Live Streaming Free – Fancode Live Match – CHR vs POA 17th, Match Live Online

Chitwan Rhinos meet Pokhara Avengers in the 17th match of the Nepal Premier League 2026 at Kirtipur, with Chitwan looking to climb back into the top half and Pokhara desperately needing their first win of the season. Chitwan arrive with one win, one loss and one no-result, while Pokhara has lost all three matches so far.

Match details

The fixture is officially listed as a day-night 20-over match at Kirtipur, beginning at 4:30 PM local time, which translates to 4:45 PM IST.

Kirtipur has traditionally offered something for both batters and bowlers, but evening games here often become tougher as the ball grips and the floodlights come on. Teams batting first will want at least 160 on the board; anything below that could leave the bowling side under pressure if the surface slows down in the second innings. The ground has hosted several low-to-moderate totals this season, including Pokhara’s 97 for 9 against Lumbini and Chitwan’s 129 for 6 against Sudurpaschim.

The weather forecast is largely favourable. Light fog is expected, with humidity around 82 percent, a temperature near 17°C and only a 3 percent chance of rain. Fog could make fielding and visibility slightly difficult early on, but a full match is expected.

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NPL 2026 will be live: CHR vs POA

For Chitwan, this is a chance to turn a mixed start into genuine momentum. They sit seventh with three points from three games, and with the league tightly packed in the middle, a win could immediately lift them into playoff contention. Their net run rate of -0.486 also makes a convincing victory valuable.

Pokhara, meanwhile, are bottom of the table without a point after three defeats and a net run rate of -1.770. Another loss would leave them with a very difficult road to the playoffs, so they need not just a win but a complete performance with bat, ball and in the field.

Current form

Chitwan opened with a narrow 19-run defeat to Karnali Yaks, responded strongly by beating Kathmandu Gorkhas by eight wickets, then beat Pokhara by nine runs on 1 November. Their most recent completed game ended in a five-wicket loss to Sudurpaschim Royals, though one fixture was abandoned.

Pokhara’s campaign has been far more difficult. They lost to Karnali by 19 runs, defeated Kathmandu Gorkhas’ opponents’ match aside, then fell to Chitwan by nine runs before being bowled out for just 97 by Lumbini Lions, who chased the target in 11.4 overs. That collapse will concern their management, especially with the batting failing to build partnerships.

Head-to-head

Chitwan and Pokhara have met twice in NPL history, with each side winning once.

• Total matches: 2

• Chitwan Rhinos wins: 1

• Pokhara Avengers wins: 1

Their first meeting came on 3 December 2024, when Chitwan made 161 for 7 and bowled Pokhara out for 74, winning by 87 runs. In the most recent meeting, on 6 December 2025, Pokhara chased 121 with eight wickets and two balls to spare. This season, Chitwan also beat Pokhara by nine runs earlier in the tournament, giving them the psychological edge going into this rematch.

Chitwan Rhinos analysis

Chitwan’s biggest strength is their experienced all-round core. Ravi Bopara leads the side and brings calm middle-order batting plus useful seam bowling, while Sikandar Raza adds power-hitting, off-spin and big-match temperament. Dawid Malan gives the top order a proven T20 accumulator, and Kushal Malla offers explosive hitting along with left-arm spin.

Their bowling attack also looks deeper on paper. Hasan Ali, Usama Mir, Rijan Dhakal and Kamal Airee give them a blend of pace, wrist-spin and domestic familiarity with Kirtipur conditions. The concern is consistency: Chitwan have already been restricted to 129 in one game and lost a close match to Sudurpaschim, so their batters must convert starts into a match-defining total.

Probable XI: Dev Khanal, Dawid Malan, Arjun Saud (wk), Ravi Bopara (c), Sikandar Raza, Kushal Malla, Dan Mousley, Kamal Airee, Rijan Dhakal, Usama Mir, Hasan Ali.

Pokhara Avengers analysis

Pokhara have the star names to compete, but they have not yet clicked as a unit. Kushal Bhurtel leads the team and remains their most important local batter, while Shakib Al Hasan brings elite all-round experience, left-arm spin and the ability to control the middle overs. Sadeera Samarawickrama, if selected, strengthens the top order, while Chamika Karunaratne and Dhananjaya Lakshan provide bowling depth and lower-order hitting.

Their main issue has been batting fragility. The 97 for 9 against Lumbini showed how quickly their innings can unravel when early wickets fall. Their spin options are strong, particularly with Shakib and Mahedi Hasan, but the pace attack needs to strike early because Kirtipur can become difficult for batters once pressure builds.

Probable XI: Kushal Bhurtel (c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Kharel, Shakib Al Hasan, Chamika Karunaratne, Mahedi Hasan, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Sagar Dhakal, Aakash Chand.

Key talking points

The battle between Chitwan’s experienced middle order and Pokhara’s spinners could decide the game. If Shakib and Mahedi bowl tightly through the middle, Chitwan may struggle to accelerate; if Bopara, Raza and Malla counterattack, Pokhara’s total could quickly become unreachable.

Pokhara also need a much better powerplay with the bat. Bhurtel’s form at the top is crucial, and the middle order must avoid another collapse like the one against Lumbini. For Chitwan, Hasan Ali and Usama Mir will look to exploit any uncertainty in Pokhara’s batting lineup.

Chitwan Rhinos start as favourites. They have already beaten Pokhara this season, possess a more balanced overseas core, and their bowling attack looks better suited to Kirtipur’s evening conditions. Market odds also favour Chitwan, giving them roughly a 57 percent chance of victory.

Prediction: Chitwan Rhinos to win, provided they post a competitive total in the first innings. Pokhara have the players to cause an upset, especially if Shakib Al Hasan delivers with both bat and ball, but their winless run and batting concerns make Chitwan the safer pick,