Janakpur Bolts and Pokhara Avengers meet as NPL returns to action

Janakpur Bolts take on Pokhara Avengers in the Nepal Premier League on Sunday, with both sides looking to build momentum in the tournament.

Saturday’s opening match between Chitwan Rhinos and Lumbini Lions was abandoned due to rain, while the fixture between Biratnagar Kings and Sudurpaschim Royals started late and continued into the night.

Weather conditions have improved for Sunday’s match, with sunshine drying out the rain-soaked outfield. The game is scheduled to start at 5 pm at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, and is expected to begin on time.

A floodlight at the Chobhar end failed to come on at the scheduled time during Saturday’s match. Dhirendra Saud, a tournament coordinator and member of the Cricket Association of Nepal, said the problem had been fixed and the lights would work properly for Sunday's fixture.

Sunday's match will be Janakpur’s third and Pokhara's second in the tournament. Janakpur lost their opening match to Karnali Yaks by 19 runs but bounced back with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Kathmandu Gorkhas in their second outing.

Janakpur, however, will be without Pakistanis Iftikhar Ahmed and Hunain Shah, who have returned home after the Pakistan Cricket Board declined to issue their no-objection certificates. The franchise also decided against paying the stipulated $25,000 fee.

Pokhara lost their opening match by six wickets to Sudurpaschim Royals. Captain Kushal Bhurtel and his teammates will be under pressure to deliver a stronger performance as they seek their first win of the season.