Chitwan Rhinos vs Pokhara Avengers: NPL 2026 Match 17 Preview
Updated
Chitwan Rhinos play Pokhara Avengers in Match 17 of NPL 2026 on Friday, 6 November at 5:00 PM NPT (4:45 PM IST) at the TU Ground, Kirtipur. It follows Sudurpaschim v Karnali (preview). Live score and scorecard: match page.
Form guide
| Team | 2026 so far | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| Chitwan Rhinos | W v Biratnagar by 8 runs, Lumbini match abandoned, L v Sudurpaschim by 5 wkts | 3 |
| Pokhara Avengers | L v Sudurpaschim by 6 wkts, L v Janakpur by 9 runs | 0 |
Form before Tuesday’s games. Pokhara also play Lumbini on 3 November (preview).
Chitwan: two overseas batters doing the work
Chitwan lost for the first time on Monday, making only 129 for 6 against Sudurpaschim (report). Dawid Malan (86 runs) and Ravi Bopara (80, and now past 10,000 T20 runs) have scored most of their runs; nobody else has passed 30. Sikandar Raza captained them in Match 11. With the ball, Kamal Singh Airee took 4 for 26 against Biratnagar, and Rijan Dhakal and Ranjit Kumar have three wickets each.
Pokhara: still waiting for a win
Pokhara lost their first two games by six wickets and nine runs. Captain Kushal Bhurtel (56 runs) and Arjun Gharti (47) lead the batting, and Shakib Al Hasan has 4 wickets at under 10 runs each. Neither of their totals has passed 145.
The key contest
Shakib against Malan and Bopara. Chitwan’s middle order has been thin, so if Shakib removes one of their two senior batters early, Pokhara’s modest totals may be enough.
What is at stake
For Pokhara, every game is close to a must-win. For Chitwan, a win would put them back in the top-four race after Monday’s defeat. The playoff scenarios page shows every route to the top four.
FAQ
What time is Chitwan Rhinos vs Pokhara Avengers?
5:00 PM Nepal Time (4:45 PM IST) on Friday, 6 November 2026, at the TU Ground in Kirtipur.
Who is Chitwan Rhinos’ top scorer in NPL 2026?
Dawid Malan, with 86 runs after three matches. Ravi Bopara has 80.
Who captains Pokhara Avengers?
Kushal Bhurtel, who is also their top scorer with 56 runs.
Who captained Chitwan Rhinos in their last match?
Sikandar Raza captained Chitwan against Sudurpaschim Royals in Match 11.
Stroke