Match Preview: Pokhara Avengers vs Sudur Paschim Royals – Nepal Premier League 2025

Date: Friday, 21 November 2025
Time: 03:45 PM GMT / 09:15 PM (Local Time, Nepal)
Venue: Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
Format: T20
Competition: Nepal Premier League 2025

Match Context

The second season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) is in full swing, and one of the most anticipated early fixtures is the clash between Pokhara Avengers and Sudur Paschim Royals on Friday, 21 November 2025. With both teams coming off strong performances in the inaugural NPL, this encounter promises to be a high-stakes battle for momentum in the league table.

The match will be held at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, a venue that has already hosted several intense T20 contests in Nepal. With the weather conditions expected to be favorable for batting, the game could hinge on how well both sides execute their strategies on the day.

Team Form and Strengths

Pokhara Avengers

Pokhara Avengers are a well-balanced side with a strong batting line-up and an effective bowling attack. Key players like Kushal Bhurtel, Sagar Dhakal, and Adam Rossington provide a solid core for the team, while Raymon Reifer is a potent all-rounder who can shift the momentum with both bat and ball.

In the inaugural season, the Avengers showed glimpses of their potential but struggled to maintain consistency in the knockout stages. With a revamped squad and a clearer strategy, they are looking to make a stronger impact in 2025.

Strengths:

• Explosive top-order batting
• Balanced bowling attack with spin and pace options
• Good fielding unit

Weaknesses:

• Mid-order can sometimes fail to capitalize on good starts
• Inconsistent performance in tight matches

Sudur Paschim Royals

The Sudur Paschim Royals are the runners-up of the inaugural NPL and are among the most formidable teams in the competition. With a powerful batting lineup and a disciplined bowling unit, they are always a tough opponent.

Key players like Dipendra Singh Airee, Harmeet Singh, and Josh Brown have proven themselves in domestic and international cricket, and their presence adds a touch of class to the team. The Royals also have the advantage of playing at home, which could give them a slight edge in crowd support and familiarity with the conditions.

Strengths:

• Explosive openers
• World-class spin attack
• Strong bench depth
• Experience from previous NPL campaign

Weaknesses:

• Bowling can be leaky in the powerplay
• Over-reliance on top-order batsmen

Head-to-Head

In the inaugural NPL 2024, the two teams met in a closely contested match. The Sudur Paschim Royals edged out the Pokhara Avengers by a narrow margin, thanks to a heroic performance from their spinners and a composed finish from their batsmen. However, the Avengers will be eager to avenge that loss and prove their mettle in the second edition.

Key Matchups

• Kushal Bhurtel vs Dipendra Singh Airee: A battle of explosive openers, both capable of taking the game away from the opposition in the powerplay.
• Raymon Reifer vs Harmeet Singh: Reifer's all-round ability could be crucial against the aggressive strokeplay of Singh.
• Sudur Paschim spinners vs Pokhara's lower order: The match could be decided by the spinners' ability to break partnerships and restrict scoring in the middle overs.

Pitch and Weather

The Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground is known for its flat and true surface, which is ideal for high-scoring T20 games. The weather is expected to be clear with minimal chances of rain, allowing both teams to plan their strategies accordingly. Batsmen are likely to dominate, but the bowlers who can find early breakthroughs will have a significant advantage.

Prediction

This is shaping up to be a high-intensity clash between two strong sides. The Sudur Paschim Royals have the upper hand in terms of experience and past performance, but the Pokhara Avengers are not to be underestimated, especially if their batting line-up stays composed and their bowlers deliver under pressure.

The match could go either way, but the Sudur Paschim Royals might have the slight edge at home. However, cricket is unpredictable, and a well-executed game plan from the Avengers could lead to an upset.

Predicted Winner: Sudur Paschim Royals (by 5-6 runs)
Man of the Match: Dipendra Singh Airee (Sudur Paschim Royals) or Kushal Bhurtel (Pokhara Avengers)

Final Word

The Pokhara Avengers vs Sudur Paschim Royals match promises to be a thrilling encounter in the Nepal Premier League 2025. With both teams possessing quality players and a winning mindset, this fixture will not only set the tone for the Avengers but also test the mettle of the defending runners-up early in the season. Fans can expect a high-scoring, action-packed T20 encounter on 21 November 2025.

Don’t miss out on what could be a turning point in the NPL 2025 campaign for both teams.
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