Kathmandu [Nepal], November 12 – Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane took a hat-trick and six wickets to guide Biratnagar Kings to a four-wicket victory over Pokhara Avengers in the 22nd match of the Nepal Premier League this season.
Biratnagar chased down a target of 133, reaching 136 for six in 19.2 overs. Isuru Udana led the finish with an unbeaten 25 off 12 balls, while Shehan Jayasuriya remained not out on 17. Basir Ahmed scored 37 and Lokesh Bam added 33.
The win ended Pokhara’s hopes of reaching the playoffs.
Earlier, Pokhara were bowled out for 132 in 17.5 overs after being put in to bat at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
Opener Yuvraj Samra top-scored with 84 off 47 balls, hitting seven fours and five sixes. Dhananjaya Lakshan contributed 22.
Lamichhane took six wickets for 27 runs in his four overs, registering the best bowling figures of his T20 career. He completed his hat-trick in the 15th over, dismissing Samra, Chamika Karunaratne and Kiran Thagunna in three consecutive deliveries.
He became the third bowler to take six wickets in a single innings in the NPL.
Pokhara’s Kushal Bhurtel and Ramesh Mendis took two wickets each, but Udana and Jayasuriya guided Biratnagar home.
