POA vs KAY NPL 2026: Samra 102, Pokhara Win First Game by 63 Runs
Published on November 9, 2026
Summary Overview: Pokhara Avengers beat Karnali Yaks by 63 runs in NPL 2026 match 19 at Kirtipur for their first win of the season. Player of the Match Yuvraj Samra hit 102 off 48 balls, Kushal Bhurtel smashed seven sixes in 62, and Mahedi Hasan took 3 for 24 as Karnali were bowled out for 154.
Who won? Pokhara Avengers, by 63 runs at the TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. Pokhara made 217 for 3, and Karnali Yaks were bowled out for 154 in 18.3 overs.
Who starred? Canada's Yuvraj Samra hit 10 fours and six sixes in 102 off 48 balls and was named Player of the Match. Kushal Bhurtel smashed 62 off 39 with seven sixes and no fours, and Mahedi Hasan took 3 for 24.
What was unusual? Karnali captain Sompal Kami was given out obstructing the field, one of the rarest ways to be dismissed in cricket.
What does it mean? It is Pokhara's first win of the season, after three defeats in a row. Karnali have now lost their last three games.
Match Report: Pokhara Finally Click
For readers new to cricket: in a T20 match, each team bats for up to 20 overs (an over is six legal deliveries). The first six overs are the powerplay, when only two fielders are allowed outside the inner circle. A century is 100 or more runs by one batter.
Pokhara's Innings: Samra and Bhurtel Cut Loose
Pokhara captain Chamika Karunaratne won the toss and chose to bat. Karnali captain Sompal Kami had Mahedi Hasan (5 off 16) caught by Ariful Islam in the fifth over, and Pokhara were 42 for 1 after the powerplay.
Then Yuvraj Samra and Kushal Bhurtel took over, adding 136 off just 68 balls. Bhurtel did not hit a single four, but he cleared the boundary seven times in his 62 off 39. Samra reached his century and was out for 102 off 48, caught by Ariful off Mark Watt at 163 for 2. Sompal had Bhurtel caught behind two overs later.
Karunaratne finished the innings in style, hitting three fours and three sixes in 35 not out off 11 balls. He and Sunny BK (3 not out) added 38 off 13, and Pokhara posted 217 for 3. Sompal was Karnali's best bowler with 2 for 24 from four overs.
Karnali's Chase: Mahedi Takes Control
Karnali needed 218, and Dhananjaya Lakshan removed Jishan Alam first ball, caught behind by Arjun Gharti. Ariful Islam hit two sixes in 24 off 13, and Deepak Dumre three in 22 off 7, but Bhurtel removed Ariful, and Mahedi Hasan took two wickets in the sixth over, removing Mark Watt and bowling Dumre. Karnali were 56 for 4 after the powerplay.
Mahedi then had David Miller caught by Karunaratne for 7, and Bipin Khatri removed Gulshan Jha. At 72 for 6, the game was all but over.
Pawan Sarraf (32 off 31) and Sompal Kami (21 off 19) added 58, before Sompal was given out obstructing the field at the end of the 15th over. Lakshan had Sarraf caught by Bhurtel, and Bhurtel and Khatri finished the job. Karnali were all out for 154, 63 runs short. Pokhara's bowlers gave away 17 wides, but it did not matter.
Turning Point: The Samra and Bhurtel Stand
At 27 for 1 in the fifth over, Pokhara had started slowly. Samra and Bhurtel's 136 off 68 balls turned that into a total of 217, and Karnali never got close.
Stat Corner
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Performance |
| Yuvraj Samra | Pokhara Avengers | 102 (48), 10 fours, 6 sixes, Player of the Match |
| Kushal Bhurtel | Pokhara Avengers | 62 (39), 7 sixes, and 2 for 39 (4 overs), plus two catches |
| Chamika Karunaratne (c) | Pokhara Avengers | 35* (11), 3 fours, 3 sixes, plus two catches |
| Mahedi Hasan | Pokhara Avengers | 3 for 24 (4 overs) |
| Dhananjaya Lakshan | Pokhara Avengers | 2 for 24 (4 overs) |
| Bipin Khatri | Pokhara Avengers | 2 for 39 (3.3 overs) |
| Sompal Kami (c) | Karnali Yaks | 2 for 24 (4 overs), and 21 (19) |
| Pawan Sarraf | Karnali Yaks | 32 (31), 2 sixes |
| Ariful Islam | Karnali Yaks | 24 (13), 2 sixes, plus two catches |
* not out
How the Game Turned
| Moment | Score |
| Pokhara's powerplay | 42 for 1 (6 overs) |
| Samra and Bhurtel stand | 136 off 68 balls for the 2nd wicket |
| Karunaratne's finish | 38* off 13 balls with Sunny BK |
| Pokhara total | 217 for 3 (20 overs) |
| Jishan Alam out first ball | Karnali 19 for 1 |
| Karnali's powerplay | 56 for 4 (6 overs) |
| Karnali in trouble | 72 for 6 (8.1 overs) |
| Sompal obstructing the field | 130 for 7 (15 overs) |
| Karnali all out | 154 (18.3 overs), 63 runs short |
Powerplay Comparison
| Team | First 6 overs |
| Pokhara Avengers | 42 for 1 |
| Karnali Yaks | 56 for 4 |
Playing XIs
| Team | Playing XI |
| Pokhara Avengers | Kushal Bhurtel, Yuvraj Samra, Arjun Kumal, Mahedi Hasan, Arjun Gharti (wk), Chamika Karunaratne (c), Kiran Thagunna, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Bibek Magar, Bipin Khatri, Sunny BK |
| Karnali Yaks | Ariful Islam, Mark Watt, Deepak Dumre (wk), David Miller, Jishan Alam, Sompal Kami (c), Gulshan Jha, Surya Tamang, Pawan Sarraf, Nandan Yadav, Yuvraj Khatri |
Changes: Pokhara brought in Dhananjaya Lakshan, Bibek Magar and Sunny BK for Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sagar Dhakal and Sudip Aryal. Karnali brought in Jishan Alam and Yuvraj Khatri for Hussain Talat and Unish Bikram Thakuri.
What's Next
| Match | Date | Fixture | Nepal (NPT) | UTC | IST | PKT | ET |
| 20th Match | Mon, Nov 9 | Chitwan Rhinos vs Kathmandu Gurkhas | 5:00 PM | 11:15 | 4:45 PM | 4:15 PM | 6:15 AM |
| 21st Match | Tue, Nov 10 | Sudurpaschim Royals vs Janakpur Bolts | 5:00 PM | 11:15 | 4:45 PM | 4:15 PM | 6:15 AM |
| 22nd Match | Thu, Nov 12 | Biratnagar Kings vs Pokhara Avengers | 12:30 PM | 06:45 | 12:15 PM | 11:45 AM | 1:45 AM |
| 23rd Match | Thu, Nov 12 | Karnali Yaks vs Lumbini Lions | 5:00 PM | 11:15 | 4:45 PM | 4:15 PM | 6:15 AM |
All matches at the TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. NPT is Nepal Time (UTC+5:45). ET is US Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Pokhara Avengers vs Karnali Yaks?
- Pokhara Avengers, by 63 runs.
Who was Player of the Match?
- Yuvraj Samra, for 102 off 48 balls.
How many sixes did Kushal Bhurtel hit?
- Seven, in his 62 off 39 balls. He did not hit a four.
How was Sompal Kami out?
- Obstructing the field. A batter is given out this way if they deliberately get in the way of the fielding side with their words or actions.
Is this Pokhara's first win?
- Yes, it is their first win of NPL 2026.
When do Pokhara play next?
- Thursday, November 12, against Biratnagar Kings at 12:30 PM Nepal time (12:15 PM IST, 11:45 AM PKT).
Related Guides and Series Coverage
📋 Pokhara Avengers Squad and Schedule for NPL 2026
📋 Nepal Premier League 2026 Schedule: Full NPL Season 3 Fixtures, Teams and Match Times