Nov 29, Kathmandu - Lumbini Lions have won by three wickets against Pokhara Avengers in the Nepal Premier League (NPL). This is Lumbini's second win in five matches in the competition.

Lumbini had earlier won by six wickets against Chitwan Rhinos in the first match. In the three matches since then, Lumbini had lost by nine wickets against Karnali Yaks, 22 runs to Kathmandu Gorkhas and 7 wickets to Sudurpaschim Royals.

This is Pokhara's third defeat in its fourth match. Pokhara had lost by 53 and 18 runs to Biratnagar Kings and Sudurpaschim Royals in the first and second matches respectively. Pokhara had won by 25 runs against Janakpur Bolts in the third match.

Lumbini achieved the target of 151 runs set by Pokhara at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Saturday (Mangsir 13), losing seven wickets in 19.4 overs.

Lumbini captain Rohit Kumar Poudel scored the highest score of 40 runs. He hit three fours and two sixes in 36 balls. From the situation of 22-2, Rohit tried to control Lumbini's middle order by sharing a 54-run partnership with Niroshan Dickwella. Niroshan added 37 runs in 22 balls, including two fours and two sixes.

As Lumbini lost two wickets in 22 runs, openers D'Arcy Short took seven and Sumit Maharjan got a 'duck'. Sandeep Jora remained unbeaten on 25 runs in 22 balls, including two fours and a six. Gulbadin Naib contributed 17 runs in 11 balls, including two sixes.

Pokhara's Bipin Khatri, Matt Taylor and Sagar Dhakal took two wickets each.