Defending champions Janakpur Bolts are on the brink of elimination from Season 2 of the Nepal Premier League after their third consecutive loss. Pokhara Avengers won by 25 runs to secure their first win of the season.

Both teams played for a good cause. The Avengers wore a green jersey in this match as part of their campaign highlighting the impact of global warming on mountains and glaciers, while the Janakpur Bolts wore jerseys featuring their players’ mothers’ names, to auction them. The funds raised will be provided to mothers who lost their children during the Gen Z uprising on September 8 and 9.

Second innings chase

Maaz Sadaqat and the Bolts made a stunning start while chasing 156. Sadaqat swept the first ball of the innings for six — only the second time a batter has hit a six off the first ball of an innings, both happening in second-innings of the match. Yet, despite the explosive start, they were reduced to 11/2 by the end of Bipin Khatri’s first over. Sheikh was stumped by Rossington for a duck. Shubh Kanaskar, playing his first game this season, lasted only two deliveries for 4.

They lost two more wickets in Sumeet Verma’s over, as he removed overseas all-rounder Sadaqat (20) and Loftie-Eaton (2). By the end of the power play, the Bolts were 37/4 — far from an ideal start to a chase. Skipper Anil Sah, who demoted himself down the order, had another tough outing; his scores so far read 0, 4, and 1.

Sanjay Krishnamurthi (25) and Wayne Parnell (50) offered some resistance in the middle and lower order, but the Bolts ultimately fell 25 runs short. In the final over, Parnell retired hurt after reaching his fifty. He struck 2 fours and 4 sixes during his stay. The Bolts will badly need his services if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive. They are now one loss away from elimination, with only a complex mathematical scenario keeping them alive.

Bipin Khatri was the chief destroyer. His brilliant spell of 4-0-15-4 dismantled the Bolts’ top and middle order. Sumeet Verma finished with a handy 2/19.

First team to bat first after winning the toss in this NPL

Kushal Bhurtel, like Anil Sah, came into this match desperate for a win to stay in playoff contention. Bhurtel decided to bat first after winning the toss — the first time any side has chosen to bat in this season. On all 13 previous occasions, captains had opted to bowl first, even though teams chasing had been consistently losing (five of the last six matches).

Everything was going smoothly for the Avengers early on. They were 45/0 in the power play, and their opening stand added 61 before being broken. But then came a collapse: they lost three wickets in quick succession, suddenly finding themselves at 64/4. Bhurtel was bowled first ball by Krishnamurthi (3/21). Dinesh Kharel (38) and James Neesham (1) both hit straight to long-off and long-on fielders.

A 72-run partnership between Trit Raj Das (29) and Sumeet Verma (50) revived the innings. Verma, who was dropped on 27 by Sadaqat, struck 2 fours and 4 sixes. Lalit Rajbanshi’s expensive final over (17 runs) meant the Avengers finished on 155/6 — their lowest total this season. The Bolts leaked 60 runs in the last five overs.

What has gone wrong for the Bolts so far?

A lack of runs at the top order has hurt them significantly. Last year, the ever-reliable Lahiru Milantha struck a fifty in the first match, and skipper Anil Sah hit a fifty in the second. Jimmy Neesham played a quick-fire 40 against the Avengers as the Bolts won three in three.

A year later, the tables have turned. Jimmy is now with the opposition, and the Bolts have suffered their third straight defeat — ironically, against the same Pokhara Avengers whom they beat by seven wickets last season to make it three in a row.

Neesham’s absence has left a massive void in both the batting middle order and the all-round department. Last year, he scored 247 runs (fifth-highest) and took 7 wickets. Lalit Rajbanshi, last season’s joint-highest wicket-taker, has struggled — managing only two wickets in three matches. Kishore Mahato has taken just one. Harsh Thaker was another underrated hero last year, delivering 11 wickets at an economy of 6.35 and scoring 138 runs. Mohammad Mohsin was exceptional with 12 wickets at under six runs per over.

Wayne Parnell’s arrival hasn’t changed the fortunes yet, and his fitness is now an additional concern after he hobbled off with a suspected hamstring injury. Imran Tahir, one of the biggest names in the tournament, is yet to arrive. But the Bolts’ biggest concern remains their batting.

Maaz Sadaqat, replacing Lahiru Milantha, looked good for his 20, but the Bolts need much more from him. Sadaqat was named Player of the Tournament in the 2025 Asia Cup Rising Stars. Asif Sheikh, after starting the season with a half-century, now has two low scores.

Janakpur Bolts’ next match is against Sudurpaschim Royals. It will be anything but easy. The Royals are in red-hot form with four consecutive wins, and another victory will all but secure their playoff spot. They will also be eyeing a chance to make the Bolts’ journey even tougher, especially after losing to them in last year’s final.