Kathmandu Gorkhas set a target of 166 runs for Pokhara Avengers in the first match of Nepal Premier League (NPL) cricket on Thursday, with half-centuries from Ben Charlesworth and Bhim Sarki.

Kathmandu, who were invited to bat after Pokhara captain Kushal Bhurtel won the toss at the Tribhuvan University Cricket International Stadium in Kirtipur, scored 165 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.

Charlesworth scored 64 runs in 55 balls. He was dismissed in the 19th over and hit 5 fours and 2 sixes. Bhim completed his half-century in 19 balls, which is the second-lowest half-century in NPL history. Bhim hit 5 fours and 4 sixes in a total of 23 balls.

Kathmandu did not start well. Akash Tripathi was bowled by Dhananjay Lakshman in the first over. Rashid Khan was dismissed for 7 runs in 12 balls after hitting 1 six. Bhim played big shots after Milind Kumar was dismissed for 13, John Simpson for 2 and Adil Alam Ansari for 7 runs. Captain Karan KC, who faced the last 2 balls, was dismissed for 4 runs.

Lakshman took 4 wickets from Pokhara. He took 2 wickets in the last over and conceded 16 runs in 4 overs, keeping 1 maiden. Kushal took 2 wickets in 4 overs for 25 runs, while Bipin Khatri and Kiran Thagunna took 1 wicket each.

This is the last match of Kathmandu's league stage today. The team has won 4 out of 6 matches. If they defeat Pokhara, Kathmandu will have a strong chance of finishing in the top 2 and playing Qualifier 1. Last season, Kathmandu defeated Pokhara by 6 wickets, but both teams failed to reach the playoffs.

Pokhara is under pressure to win this match to reach the top four. Pokhara is on a 2-win and 3-loss streak in 5 matches. Pokhara is playing its last league match against Chitwan on Saturday. Pokhara had defeated Karnali Yaks by 34 runs in the previous match. Pokhara scored 201 runs in that match. Pokhara became the second team to cross 200 runs in the NPL.