Cricket
The Janakpur Royals defeated Pokhara Avengers by six wicekts at the TU Cricket Ground on Thursday to secure their place in the playoffs of the ongoing Nepal T20 Cricket League.
The Royals finished second in the six-team standings with 12 points from six wins.
The Avengers, sent in to bat, were bowled out cheaply for 68 runs and the Royals raced to 70 runs for the loss of four wickets in nine overs.
Sharafuddin Ashraf hit the highest 37 runs in the Royals' victory, while West Indian Trevon Griffith made 17.
Avengers bowlers Kushal Malla took three wickets and Asitha Madusanka Fernando picked up one wicket.
Earlier, the Avengers made a stuttering start and were always on the back foot. Sidhhant Lohani scored the highest 17, with Asif Sheikh and Kushal Malla each making 16. However, the rest of the batters simply caved against the Royals' hostile bowling attack.
Royals' Sompal Kami was the chief destroyer, snaring three wickets. Lalit Rajbanshi and Sharafuddin Aharaff took two wickets each.
The loss has left the Avengers in fifth place with six points. Only the top four sides qualify for the playoffs.
