NPL 2025 Match Result & Analysis: Pokhara Avengers vs Kathmandu Gorkhas in Match 23

Published · By Kushma Thapa

Kathmandu Gorkhas Seal Playoff Spot!

In the first match of the December 4th doubleheader, the Kathmandu Gorkhas (KAG) secured a vital 13-run victory over the Pokhara Avengers (POA).

The Gorkhas' total of 165/8 proved just enough, as they bowled out the Avengers for 152 in a hard-fought contest. This win officially takes the Kathmandu Gorkhas to 10 points and guarantees them a place in the playoffs.

Race to the Playoffs: The Battle for 3rd and 4th

The biggest consequence of this result is that it confirms the second playoff qualifier and critically knocks the Pokhara Avengers out of contention for a possible 8-point finish.

🟢 Qualified Teams (2/4 Spots Confirmed)

  1. Sudurpaschim Royals (10 PTS): Qualified. Now competing with Kathmandu for the Qualifier 1 (Top 2) spot.

  2. Kathmandu Gorkhas (10 PTS): Qualified. They have finished their league games and secured their spot. They must now wait to see if they finish 1st (Qualifier 1) or 2nd (Qualifier 1) based on the Royals' remaining results.

The Fight for Spots 3 & 4

The entire focus now shifts to the remaining three teams on 8, 6, and 4 points, who are fighting for two spots.

3. Biratnagar Kings (8 PTS) - Position: Strong

  • Scenario: They need to win their final game against the Royals (Dec 6) to guarantee 3rd place with 10 points.

  • Pressure: If they lose, they finish on 8 points. They will still likely qualify unless both the Lumbini Lions and Chitwan Rhinos win their remaining games and overhaul the Kings' superior NRR.

4. Lumbini Lions (6 PTS) - Position: Best Placed

  • Scenario: They face the already-eliminated Janakpur Bolts (Dec 5). A win takes them to 8 points.

  • Outlook: If the Lions reach 8 points, they are heavy favourites for the 4th spot, as they would be ahead of Chitwan and Pokhara's maximum possible total. The only way they could miss out is if the Kings finish on 8 points and Chitwan wins out and the NRR gets messy.

5. Chitwan Rhinos (4 PTS) - Position: Must Win Out

  • Scenario: They play the Sudurpaschim Royals (Dec 4 - second match today) and the Pokhara Avengers (Dec 6). They must win both games to reach 8 points and stay in the race.

  • Double Pressure: Losing to the Royals today would all but end their hopes, forcing them to rely on Lumbini losing and then beating Pokhara to potentially sneak in on NRR at 6 points.

6. Pokhara Avengers (4 PTS) - Position: Highly Vulnerable

  • Scenario: This loss means their maximum points total is now 6 points. They play the Chitwan Rhinos (Dec 6) next.

  • Outlook: They can only qualify if they win their final game and the Lumbini Lions lose their final game and the Chitwan Rhinos lose to the Royals today. Their only realistic path is to beat Chitwan and hope for a better NRR than the Lions on 6 points (if Lions lose to Bolts). Their playoff hopes are extremely faint.