Pokhara Avengers vs Sudurpaschim Royals Prediction, 4th Match, Nepal Premier League 2026

Pokhara Avengers vs Sudurpaschim Royals prediction: Sudurpaschim Royals have the historical edge in this NPL rivalry, having won both previous meetings, but Pokhara Avengers arrive with a reshaped squad featuring experienced international all-rounders, including Shakib Al Hasan. The fourth match of the Nepal Premier League 2026 is scheduled for Wednesday, 28 October, at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. The match begins at 4:45 PM IST (5:00 PM Nepal time).

The teams enter the fixture in different circumstances. Sudurpaschim have already played once this season, losing to Lumbini Lions by seven wickets after being dismissed for 87. That defeat puts pressure on their batting group to respond, although one low-scoring match is not enough to define the team’s overall potential.

Pokhara’s squad includes captain Kushal Bhurtel, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjaya Lakshan and Mohammad Saifuddin. Sudurpaschim are led by Dipendra Singh Airee and have international options such as Scott Kuggeleijn, Brandon McMullen and Saif Zaib. These all-round resources could make the contest depend on which side uses its bowling options most effectively.

The earlier head-to-head results favour Sudurpaschim, but Pokhara’s revised squad gives this meeting a different context. The key questions are whether Sudurpaschim can recover from their opening defeat, whether Pokhara’s new combinations settle quickly, and which side handles the middle overs better at Kirtipur.

Match Details

Pokhara Avengers — Last 5 Matches

Sudurpaschim Royals — Last 5 Matches

Form comparison

Pokhara won three of their last five matches in the 2025 season, including a 201/2 performance against Karnali Yaks and an eight-wicket chase against Chitwan Rhinos. Those results indicate that the batting order can accelerate strongly, although the 152 all out against Kathmandu exposed the risk of a collapse.

Sudurpaschim’s results across this mixed sample are also two wins and three defeats. Their opening loss to Lumbini is particularly relevant: they were dismissed for 87, leaving little margin for their bowlers. Their previous-season wins by 77 and 49 runs show that they can dominate when their batting sets up a strong total, but their two recent low scores raise a question about consistency.

Pokhara Avengers Preview

Pokhara Avengers begin their 2026 campaign with a new-look squad and an opportunity to improve on their previous NPL finishes. Their last five matches from 2025 produced three wins, including a 34-run victory over Karnali Yaks after scoring 201/2. That innings showed the team’s potential to post a demanding total when the top order builds partnerships and the middle order can maintain the scoring rate.

Captain Kushal Bhurtel is a key figure in the batting unit, while international signings Shakib Al Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjaya Lakshan and Mohammad Saifuddin give the squad several all-round options. The official team roster lists these players alongside Nepalese players such as Arjun Kumal, Arjun Gharti Magar, Bipin Khatri, Sagar Dhakal and Aakash Chand.

The squad’s all-round depth gives Pokhara flexibility in selecting a bowling attack. Shakib and Mahedi offer spin options, while Chamika and Saifuddin can provide seam-bowling resources. The balance of the final XI will matter: including too many all-rounders at the expense of specialist batting or bowling could leave the team short in a key phase.

Pokhara’s last five results also show both sides of their batting. They chased 120 against Chitwan with eight wickets remaining, but were dismissed for 152 against Kathmandu while chasing 166. Against Sudurpaschim, their priority should be to avoid losing wickets in clusters and to maintain scoring pressure through the middle overs.

Their main challenge is that they have not yet tested this 2026 combination in a competitive match. A new overseas combination may increase their options, but role clarity and the use of bowling resources will be crucial. If Bhurtel and the top order provide a stable start, Pokhara have the batting depth to make a competitive total or chase one.

What Pokhara need to do to win: build a stable powerplay, use their spin and all-round options smartly, and avoid the middle-order collapse that hurt them against Kathmandu in 2025.

Sudurpaschim Royals Preview

Sudurpaschim Royals have been one of the stronger sides in the NPL’s early seasons, finishing as runners-up in both 2024 and 2025. Their record in this specific fixture is also positive: they beat Pokhara by five runs in 2024 and by 18 runs in 2025. However, their 2026 campaign began with a seven-wicket defeat against Lumbini Lions, after being bowled out for 87.

Captain Dipendra Singh Airee leads a squad containing wicketkeeper-batter Binod Bhandari, batter Aarif Sheikh, all-rounders Scott Kuggeleijn and Brandon McMullen, and overseas all-rounder Saif Zaib. Bowling options listed in the squad include Abinash Bohara, Hemant Dhami, Hikmat Mahara and Sachin Bhatta.

Their strongest route to victory is to make better use of their batting depth than they did against Lumbini. Sudurpaschim have shown in previous seasons that they can produce large totals: they scored 193/7 against Pokhara in 2025 and 169/4 against Chitwan in December 2025. The challenge is to turn that potential into a consistent performance, particularly after their first match of this season ended with a low total.

The Royals have a useful mix of spin and pace resources. Airee can provide an additional bowling option, while Kuggeleijn and McMullen add all-round flexibility. If the pitch offers grip, the bowling unit should be able to vary pace and use spin to make clean hitting more difficult. The side will also need to protect the boundary in the final overs, as Pokhara’s squad contains several players capable of scoring quickly.

Sudurpaschim’s recent head-to-head success provides a psychological positive, but it should not outweigh their current batting concerns. If their top order can recover from the opening defeat and post a competitive total, their bowling group will have a chance to put Pokhara under pressure.

What Sudurpaschim need to do to win: recover from the opening batting collapse, use their all-rounders to create depth, and attack Pokhara’s top order early.

Team Squad and Team News

Pokhara Avengers squad

• Batters and wicketkeepers: Kushal Bhurtel, Arjun Kumal, Kiran Kumar Thagunna, Arjun Gharti Magar, Bibek Rana Magar.
• All-rounders: Shakib Al Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Bipin Khatri, Bipin Acharya, Dinesh Kharel, Sunny BK.
• Bowlers: Aakash Chand, Sagar Dhakal, Pratik Pokharel, Sudip Aryal.

Sudurpaschim Royals squad

• Batters and wicketkeepers: Binod Bhandari, Aarif Sheikh, Dipak Bohara, Ishan Pandey, Tek Rawat, Ayub Chand, Tek Raj Thalal.
• All-rounders: Dipendra Singh Airee, Scott Kuggeleijn, Brandon McMullen, Saif Zaib, Milan Bohara.
• Bowlers: Abinash Bohara, Hemant Dhami, Hikmat Mahara, Sachin Bhatta.

Probable Playing XI

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

Dream11 / Fantasy Prediction

Captain options

1. Shakib Al Hasan — an all-round option whose value increases if he contributes with both bat and ball.
2. Dipendra Singh Airee — captain and all-rounder, with potential involvement across multiple phases.

Vice-captain options

1. Kushal Bhurtel — a top-order batting option who can influence the innings if he gets set.
2. Scott Kuggeleijn — offers all-round potential, although his final role and overs should be confirmed.

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

Weather Report

Broadcast Details

The fixture is scheduled for 4:45 PM IST on 28 October 2026. For viewers in India, available tournament coverage listings name Star Sports Network for television and FanCode for live streaming. Broadcasters and regional availability can vary, so check the latest match listing before the start.

Toss Prediction and Strategy

If Pokhara Avengers win the toss

Pokhara could consider bowling first. Sudurpaschim were dismissed for 87 in their opening match, and putting them under pressure early could exploit any uncertainty in their batting. However, Pokhara should only choose to field if the pitch and conditions support that decision; their own new combination also needs time to settle.

If Sudurpaschim Royals win the toss

Sudurpaschim could also consider bowling first, particularly because they have already played at the venue this season. Their previous head-to-head win came after setting 193/7, though that does not mean batting first is automatically the better option in this match.

Toss prediction

Predicted toss winner: Pokhara Avengers.

This is a speculative call rather than a statistically supported advantage. The tactical choice should depend on the surface at the toss and the teams’ confirmed playing XIs.

Score Prediction

Winning Chances

Key Player Matchups

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