Kathmandu Gorkhas vs Pokhara Avengers Prediction, NPL 2026 – Match 28

Kathmandu Gorkhas vs Pokhara Avengers prediction for the 28th match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026 favours Kathmandu, who have produced the more consistent campaign and remain in contention for a strong playoff position. The Gorkhas have collected eight points from six matches, winning four and losing two. Pokhara, meanwhile, have managed only one victory in six games and sit at the bottom of the table with two points.

Kathmandu’s recent run included four consecutive victories before their seven-run defeat against Sudurpaschim Royals on November 13. That loss exposed some batting concerns: chasing 126, the Gorkhas finished on 118/7, despite Rashid Khan’s 35 not out and Dushan Hemantha’s 21. Their earlier 10-run win over Chitwan Rhinos was more encouraging, with Rashid scoring 52 from 30 balls in a total of 180/8.

Pokhara’s campaign has been more uneven. They ended a four-match losing streak with a commanding 63-run victory over Karnali Yaks, scoring 217/3. Yuvraj Samra struck 102 from 48 balls, while captain Kushal Bhurtel contributed 62 from 39. However, Pokhara failed to carry that momentum into their next match, losing to Biratnagar Kings after being bowled out for 132. Samra again stood out with 84 from 47 balls, but the rest of the batting order could not provide enough support.

The standings create different incentives for the two sides. Kathmandu have secured a playoff place, while Pokhara have been eliminated from qualification contention. The Gorkhas can still improve their final league position, whereas Pokhara will be looking to finish the campaign with a more competitive performance. Kathmandu’s stronger form and their unbeaten NPL head-to-head record make them favourites, but Samra’s recent scoring shows that Pokhara have the firepower to challenge them.

Match Details

Kathmandu Gorkhas Last 5 Matches

Pokhara Avengers Last 5 Matches

Recent form comparison: Kathmandu have won four of their last five matches, while Pokhara have won only one. The Gorkhas have shown greater consistency in both batting and bowling, including a 36-run win over Lumbini and a successful 181-run chase against Karnali. Their latest defeat was narrow, but the 118-run chase highlighted the risk of losing too many wickets in the middle overs.

Pokhara’s form has been more dependent on individual performances. Their 217/3 against Karnali demonstrated their ability to score quickly, but the 132 all out against Biratnagar exposed a fragile middle and lower order. Samra’s back-to-back scores of 102 and 84 are a major positive, although Pokhara need more contributions around him.

Kathmandu Gorkhas Preview

Kathmandu Gorkhas have been one of the more consistent sides in NPL 2026. Four wins from six matches have taken them to eight points, and their positive net run rate of +0.8818 reflects a generally strong campaign. Their recent four-match winning streak ended against Sudurpaschim, but the Gorkhas remain a difficult team to beat because they have several players capable of contributing in different phases.

Rashid Khan is an important part of the batting unit. He has scored 155 runs in five innings at an average of 38.75 and a strike rate of 139.6, including a match-winning 52 against Chitwan. His unbeaten 35 against Sudurpaschim also showed his ability to hold the innings together when wickets fall around him. Kathmandu will need him to provide stability and accelerate when the platform is established.

Karan KC adds value with both bat and ball. He has scored 89 runs in five innings and taken six wickets, making him a useful option in the middle and late overs. His 44 from 20 balls against Karnali demonstrated his ability to change the pace of an innings, while his bowling gives captaincy flexibility. Jahandad Khan is another major weapon: his 11 wickets make him one of the leading wicket-takers in the competition. Santosh Yadav has also been effective, with eight wickets and an economy rate below six.

The Gorkhas’ most recent defeat showed that their top and middle order can struggle when early wickets fall. Against Sudurpaschim, they were unable to build a stable partnership during the chase, leaving Rashid with too much responsibility. The team should avoid allowing Pokhara’s bowlers to dictate the powerplay and should preserve enough batting depth for the final five overs.

Bowling is arguably Kathmandu’s stronger department. Jahandad can attack with the new ball, while Karan and Santosh provide additional wicket-taking options. Rashid offers spin control, and the side can use Dushan Hemantha as an additional all-round option. Against Pokhara, the Gorkhas should target the middle order with spin and maintain pressure on Samra and Bhurtel early.

Pokhara Avengers Preview

Pokhara Avengers have had a difficult NPL 2026 campaign, winning only one of their six completed matches. Their two points and negative net run rate reflect problems across both departments. They are already out of playoff contention, but their emphatic victory over Karnali showed that their batting can be dangerous when the top order gets going.

Yuvraj Samra has been the standout batter. He has scored 205 runs in three innings at an average of 68.33 and a strike rate of 188.1, including a century against Karnali. His 84 against Biratnagar in the next match further underlined his ability to attack quality bowling. Samra is likely to be the key player in Pokhara’s attempt to challenge Kathmandu.

Captain Kushal Bhurtel has also made useful contributions, scoring 136 runs in six innings. His 62 from 39 balls alongside Samra’s century was central to the 217-run total against Karnali. However, his overall average of 22.67 suggests that Pokhara need more consistency from him. The team cannot rely on Samra and Bhurtel alone, particularly against a bowling attack featuring Jahandad Khan, Karan KC and Rashid Khan.

Dhananjaya Lakshan and Chamika Karunaratne offer important all-round options. Lakshan scored 22 from 15 balls in the recent defeat to Biratnagar, while Karunaratne produced a rapid 35 not out from 11 balls during the big win over Karnali. Their ability to contribute in the lower middle order gives Pokhara a route to a competitive total, provided the top order does not collapse.

The bowling unit has struggled to contain opposition scoring consistently. The team conceded 217 against Karnali and 151 against Chitwan, while the latest match saw Biratnagar chase 133 with four balls remaining. Bipin Khatri, Sagar Dhakal and Lakshan will need to use the Kirtipur conditions effectively. Pokhara should focus on taking early wickets rather than allowing Kathmandu to build a steady platform.

Their best route to an upset is a strong powerplay with the bat, followed by disciplined spin bowling through the middle overs. If Samra and Bhurtel provide another productive start, Pokhara can put pressure on the Gorkhas. However, their supporting batting and bowling performances must improve considerably.

Team Squad & Team News

Kathmandu Gorkhas Squad

Karan KC (captain), Bhim Sharki, Dayananda Mandal, Dev Shah, Ganesh Gautam, Krishna Poudel, Mohammad Aadil Alam, Prasiddha Jaisi, Rashid Khan, Sahil Patel, Santosh Yadav, Shahab Alam, Sonu Devkota, Suyanshu Koirala, Jahandad Khan, Sahan Arachchige, Sam Heazlett and Dushan Hemantha have featured in the current squad or recent match-day information.

David Warner, K.S. Bharat and Ripon Mondol have been listed as unavailable or having departed the active group in current squad updates. The most recent confirmed Gorkhas XI included Sam Heazlett, Sahil Patel, Rashid Khan, Sahan Arachchige, Bhim Sharki, Karan KC, Dushan Hemantha, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Aadil Alam, Santosh Yadav and Ganesh Gautam.

Pokhara Avengers Squad

Kushal Bhurtel (captain), Yuvraj Samra, Arjun Kumal, Arjun Gharti, Sunny BK, Ramesh Mendis, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Chamika Karunaratne, Kiran Thagunna, Bipin Khatri, Sagar Dhakal, Aakash Chand, Bibek Rana Magar, Sudip Aryal, Pratik Pokharel, Dinesh Kharel and other registered squad members are among Pokhara’s available options.

Shakib Al Hasan left the squad for the Abu Dhabi T10 after three matches, while Mohammed Saifuddin departed after one game. Pokhara’s most recent confirmed XI against Biratnagar included Yuvraj Samra, Arjun Kumal, Kushal Bhurtel, Arjun Gharti, Sunny BK, Ramesh Mendis, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Chamika Karunaratne, Kiran Thagunna, Bipin Khatri and Sagar Dhakal.

Probable Playing XI

Probable XIs are subject to official team announcements and the toss.

Dream11 / Fantasy Prediction

The fantasy combination should give priority to players with consistent involvement in batting or bowling. Yuvraj Samra is a high-upside selection after scoring 102 and 84 in consecutive matches. Rashid Khan offers value through both batting and his ability to influence the middle overs, while Karan KC and Jahandad Khan provide wicket-taking potential.

Captain Options

1. Yuvraj Samra – His recent century and 84-run innings make him the strongest high-ceiling batting option.
2. Rashid Khan – Can contribute with the bat and offer wicket-taking potential in the middle overs.

Vice-Captain Options

1. Karan KC – Offers value through both batting and bowling.
2. Kushal Bhurtel – Can score quickly at the top and has shown his ability to build a substantial innings.

Players to Avoid

1. Mohammed Saifuddin – He left Pokhara after one match and should not be selected without confirmation of a return.
2. Shakib Al Hasan – He departed for the Abu Dhabi T10 after three NPL matches, making him an unsuitable selection unless a fresh availability update confirms otherwise.

Fantasy suggestions are for informational purposes only and are not guaranteed to produce points or returns.

Pitch Behaviour

The TU Ground surface has offered opportunities to both pace and spin bowlers. In men’s T20 matches at the venue, spinners have taken 49% of the wickets, while pace bowlers account for 51%. Spin has been more economical, with an average economy rate of 6.89 compared with 8.18 for pace.

The powerplay is an important phase at this ground. Teams average 43 runs in the first six overs, with one to three wickets typically falling. The middle overs produce an average of 62 runs, while the final five overs contribute around 39. These figures suggest that a side losing early wickets may find it difficult to recover fully in the closing stages.

The 2026 NPL first-innings average of 141 is below the all-season NPL average of 147. That makes a score in the 150s competitive, although a total above 160 has historically been a stronger position: teams batting first with 160 or more have won 16 of 24 such NPL matches at the venue.

For this match, both sides should value wickets in hand rather than attempting to force the pace from the first over. Kathmandu’s spin options could be particularly useful against Pokhara’s middle order, while Pokhara will need to use their spinners to prevent Rashid and Karan from controlling the innings.

Weather Report

The forecast indicates generally workable conditions, with no strong signal of a major rain interruption. The chance of precipitation varies between forecasts, so a brief interruption cannot be ruled out. Temperatures should be comfortable for batting and bowling, and the weather does not appear likely to be a major factor in the prediction.

Broadcast Details

The match is scheduled to begin at 4:45 PM IST (5:00 PM Nepal time). In India, NPL 2026 coverage is available through Star Sports and FanCode. In Nepal, viewers can follow the tournament through Himalaya TV, with NetTV providing online streaming. NetTV also holds worldwide OTT rights.

Toss Prediction & Strategy

If Kathmandu Gorkhas Win the Toss

Kathmandu should consider bowling first. Chasing sides have won seven of the 12 NPL matches in the 2026 venue sample, and the Gorkhas have already shown that they can complete substantial chases. Their bowling attack also has the variety to restrict Pokhara before targeting a manageable total.

If Pokhara Avengers Win the Toss

Pokhara should also consider bowling first, particularly if they believe the pitch will become easier to bat on later. Their batting has produced its best result when chasing pressure was removed, but the 217/3 against Karnali showed that they can also post a large total. The decision should depend on the surface and the conditions at the toss.

Toss Prediction

Predicted toss winner: Kathmandu Gorkhas

Kathmandu’s stronger overall campaign and more consistent bowling options make them a reasonable toss prediction. The team winning the toss is likely to prefer fielding first, given the recent chasing trend at TU Ground.

Score Prediction

Winning Chances

Why the Win Percentage?

Main Reasons Behind the Prediction

1. Stronger tournament performance: Kathmandu have four wins from six matches, compared with Pokhara’s one win. Their eight points and positive net run rate demonstrate greater consistency.

2. More reliable bowling attack: Jahandad Khan has taken 11 wickets, while Santosh Yadav has eight. Karan KC’s six wickets give the Gorkhas another experienced option. Pokhara have struggled to prevent opposition teams from scoring consistently.

3. Pokhara’s dependence on Samra: Yuvraj Samra has been outstanding, but the latest defeat to Biratnagar showed how difficult it can be for Pokhara when the rest of the batting order fails to contribute.

4. Historical advantage: Kathmandu have won both previous NPL meetings, including the most recent encounter in December 2025.

5. A useful spin combination: Rashid Khan and the Gorkhas’ other bowling options could exploit a ground where spinners have taken almost half of the men’s T20 wickets.

The main reason not to make the probability wider is Pokhara’s explosive batting potential. Samra and Bhurtel have already demonstrated that they can produce a match-changing partnership.

Key Player Matchups

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