Biratnagar Kings and Pokhara Avengers meet in a crucial Nepal Premier League 2026 clash with both sides desperate for points. Biratnagar need a response after a heavy defeat, while Pokhara arrive with fresh confidence from their first win of the season.
This is an afternoon fixture, so dew should not play a major role. The forecast is largely dry and partly cloudy, with temperatures around 19°C at the start; rain is not expected to disrupt the game.
Kirtipur has produced mixed conditions in NPL 2026. The average first-innings score has been around 157 in earlier reporting, though more recent venue data puts the tournament average closer to 141, which suggests that batting has not always been easy.
The surface generally offers something for spinners in the middle overs, while pacers who vary their length and use slower balls can also find success. A total around 155–165 should be competitive, although Pokhara’s 217 for 3 against Karnali Yaks proved that a strong batting platform can turn the ground into a high-scoring venue.
Teams chasing have had a slight advantage in this season’s matches at Kirtipur, with seven chases successful from 12 completed games according to one preview. The captain winning the toss may therefore prefer to bowl first, although the afternoon start reduces the usual evening-chasing advantage.
The playoff race gives this fixture real urgency. Biratnagar Kings sit sixth with four points from five matches, while Pokhara Avengers are eighth with two points from the same number of games.
Match details
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Match: Biratnagar Kings vs Pokhara Avengers, 22nd Match
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League / Season: Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026
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Date: Thursday, 12 November 2026
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Time: 12:30 PM Nepal Time; 12:15 PM IST
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Venue: Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, Kathmandu
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Format: 20-over T20 match
Live Streaming Info:
NPL 2026 will be live: BIK vs POA
Live Score Info:
Cricket lovers can watch the Biratnagar Kings vs Pokhara Avengers live score on this website: nplt20league.com.
For Biratnagar, a win would move them closer to the top four and help repair their net run rate after a poor batting collapse. For Pokhara, this is a chance to build a genuine winning run after finally opening their account; another victory would keep their playoff hopes alive and give them momentum for the remaining league fixtures.
Current form
Biratnagar have had an inconsistent campaign. They lost their opening match to Chitwan Rhinos by eight runs, then went down to Karnali Yaks by four wickets. They responded with a 35-run win over Sudurpaschim Royals and a narrow two-run win against Janakpur Bolts, before being bowled out for just 83 by Kathmandu Gorkhas in their most recent match.
That nine-wicket defeat will concern Sandeep Lamichhane’s side. Their batting has shown capability—174 for 3 against Janakpur—but it has also failed badly under pressure. Their challenge is to produce a more consistent top-order performance rather than relying on one explosive innings.
Pokhara began the season with four straight defeats: to Sudurpaschim Royals by six wickets, Janakpur Bolts by nine runs, Lumbini Lions by eight wickets, and Chitwan Rhinos by 30 runs. However, they finally found form against Karnali Yaks, posting 217 for 3 and winning by 63 runs.
That result was driven by Yuvraaj Samra’s brilliant 102 from 48 balls. Pokhara will want their openers to give them another solid start, but they must also show that the Karnali performance was a turning point rather than a one-off.
Head-to-head
Biratnagar Kings and Pokhara Avengers have met twice previously in the NPL.
| Total matches | Biratnagar wins | Pokhara wins | Tied / Super Over |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 tied, won by Pokhara in Super Over |
In their first meeting in 2024, the match ended in a tie and Pokhara Avengers won the Super Over. In 2025, Biratnagar Kings gained revenge with a 53-run win after posting 220 for 6 at Kirtipur.
There are not five completed meetings between these teams in available NPL records, so the recent head-to-head is effectively a 1–1 split. Biratnagar hold the psychological edge from the most recent encounter, but Pokhara’s Super Over win shows how finely matched these sides have been.
Biratnagar Kings analysis
Biratnagar’s biggest strength is their overseas experience and all-round depth. Andre Russell provides power-hitting and useful bowling, while Angelo Mathews and Charith Asalanka add stability, flexibility, and big-match temperament. Sandeep Lamichhane remains their key spin option and leader.
Their batting showed what it can do against Janakpur, with Imran Sheikh making 56, Lokesh Bam 50, and Russell an unbeaten 52 from 29 balls. Russell also took four wickets in that match, underlining why he is such an important player for the Kings.
The weakness is consistency. Being dismissed for 83 against Kathmandu Gorkhas exposed a fragile middle order when the top order fails. Biratnagar need their domestic batters to support the overseas core, especially if Pokhara’s bowlers strike early.
Key players: Andre Russell, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lokesh Bam, Imran Sheikh, Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka.
Probable XI: Lokesh Bam, Imran Sheikh, Shehan Jayasuriya, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Andre Russell, Shubham Ranjane, Basir Ahamad, Narayan Joshi, Rupesh Kumar Singh, Sandeep Lamichhane.
Pokhara Avengers analysis
Pokhara’s main strength is their batting potential. Kushal Bhurtel provides experience at the top, while Yuvraaj Samra arrives in outstanding form after his 48-ball century against Karnali. Their overseas all-rounders—Shakib Al Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Dhananjaya Lakshan, and Chamika Karunaratne—give the side balance with both bat and ball.
Their 217 for 3 against Karnali was the second-highest team total in NPL history, and it showed how dangerous they can be when the top order clicks. Samra’s century, combined with contributions from the middle order, gave Pokhara a total their bowlers could defend comfortably.
The concern is their earlier form. Four consecutive defeats suggest they have struggled to handle pressure and close out tight moments. Their bowling unit will need to contain Biratnagar’s power hitters, particularly Russell and Mathews, rather than relying only on a big total.
Key players: Yuvraaj Samra, Kushal Bhurtel, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Chamika Karunaratne.
Probable XI: Kushal Bhurtel, Yuvraaj Samra, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Chamika Karunaratne, Arjun Gharti, Bipin Khatri, Sunny BK, Pratish GC, Naren Saud.
Key talking points
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Can Biratnagar recover from being bowled out for 83 in their previous match?
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Will Yuvraaj Samra continue his match-winning form after scoring 102 from 48 balls?
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Andre Russell’s role with both bat and ball could decide the outcome.
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The toss may matter, with chasing teams holding a slight edge at Kirtipur this season.
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Both teams need points urgently as the league stage approaches its final days.
Match prediction
Biratnagar Kings start as slight favourites because of their stronger overall squad depth, previous head-to-head win, and greater experience in Russell, Mathews, Asalanka, and Lamichhane. Their batting has more proven match-winners, and their bowling attack has the variety to challenge Pokhara through the middle overs.
However, Pokhara cannot be dismissed after their 63-run win and Samra’s century. If Bhurtel and Samra get going again, Pokhara could post a challenging total and put Biratnagar’s fragile batting under pressure.
The prediction is Biratnagar Kings to win, but only narrowly. A total around 160–170 should be competitive, and the side batting second may hold a small advantage if they keep wickets in hand during the middle overs.