Cricket

Pokhara Avengers raked up their third successive win in the Nepal T20 League on Monday, beating Kathmandu Knights by five wickets. 

The Avengers, who lost their first five consecutive matches, pulled off three wins on the trot to keep alive their playoff hopes.

Kathmandu, sent in to bat, scored 164 runs for the loss of four wickets in the allotted 20 overs. In reply, Pokhara achieved the target with five wickets with two balls to spare. The win has elevated Pokhara to fourth place in the league table with six points from eight games. 

Pakhara opener Sumit Maharjan and captain Upul Tharanga were instrumental in the win, each cracking a half-century in the match. 

Maharjan made 76 runs, playing 52 balls with the help of seven fours and three sixes, while Tharanga, a marquee singing from Sri Lanka, scored 58 runs off 49 balls, hitting five fours and a six. Kushal Malla was unbeaten on 14 runs.

Kamal Airee took three wickets, while Avinash Vohora and Anil Kharel took one wicket each for the Knights.

Earlier, Alex Blake scored 64 runs to help Kathmandu to 164-4 in the match. Sunam Gautam and Virenderdeep Singh were other major contributors with the bat, making 45 and 32 runs, respectively. 

Pokhara's Tul Thapa took two wickets, Pratish GC and Kushal Malla picked up a wicket apiece.