Janakpur Bolts vs Pokhara Avengers Match Preview – NPL Season 3 Match 9

Janakpur Bolts vs Pokhara Avengers match preview for NPL Season 3 Match 9: the Sunday evening fixture at the TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, on Sunday 1 November at 5:00 PM NST, Harmeet Singh's Janakpur against Kushal Bhurtel's Pokhara. Janakpur opened the season with a defeat, and Pokhara's opener was still to come when this article was written, so the form lines below come with that caveat.

Match Details

Janakpur Bolts vs Pokhara Avengers Match Preview: Sunday Evening Fixture at Kirtipur

Janakpur arrive with two games scheduled before this one: the opener against Karnali, lost by 19 runs, and Match 5 against Kathmandu on 29 October, whose result was not known when this article was written. Pokhara arrive with one game scheduled before this one: their opener against Sudurpaschim in Match 4 on 28 October, also not known when this article was written. So the form lines here are only part of the story.

Two points go to the winner, and with only the top four of eight reaching the playoffs from seven league games each, an early win carries real weight. There is no verified head-to-head record for this fixture to lean on, so this preview rests on Janakpur's opener, the two captains, and the evening conditions at Kirtipur.

Janakpur Bolts Preview: Harmeet's Side, Third Game In

Captain Harmeet Singh leads Janakpur under coach Shivnarine Chanderpaul. The pre-match graphic XI is built around Harmeet, wicketkeeper Anil Sah and overseas all-rounder Moeen Ali.

Janakpur's opener against Karnali was a defeat that slipped away late. Set 133 to win, Janakpur were bowled out for 113 in 19.3 overs, losing their final six wickets for just 19 runs. Abhisekh Tiwari top-scored with 20 off 17, and the bowling had kept the game close: Harmeet took 3 for 22 and Moeen 2 for 19. That is the form line Pokhara must deal with: a bowling attack that held Karnali to 132 for 9, and a batting order that collapsed at the end.

Pokhara Avengers Preview: Bhurtel's Side, Second Game In

Captain Kushal Bhurtel leads Pokhara under coach Ajantha Mendis. The pre-match graphic XI is built around Bhurtel, overseas all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and overseas all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne.

Pokhara's Season 3 form is a blank page. Their opener against Sudurpaschim in Match 4, on 28 October, had not been played when this article was written, so nothing in this preview rests on a Pokhara performance this season. What is known is the squad: Bhurtel's batting at the top, Shakib's all-round record, and a bowling group built around Sagar Dhakal and Sudip Aryal. Pokhara finished fifth in Season 2 and have never reached the playoffs, so an opening win would change the tone of their season fast.

Key Battles: Three Duels

Harmeet against Bhurtel comes first: the two captains, and the two most important wickets in the game. Harmeet took 3 for 22 against Karnali and leads Janakpur's attack; Bhurtel's batting at the top sets Pokhara's tone. If Harmeet removes Bhurtel early, Pokhara lose their captain and their top-order anchor in one wicket.

Second, Janakpur's middle order against Pokhara's spin and all-round depth. Janakpur lost their final six wickets for 19 runs against Karnali, so Pokhara's bowlers will test exactly that fragility, with Shakib's left-arm spin and Karunaratne's seam as the weapons. Third, the death overs: Janakpur fell 19 runs short chasing 133, so the side that holds its nerve late wins this game.

Players to Watch: NPL Season 3 Match 9

Janakpur: Harmeet Singh (captain, all-rounder), Moeen Ali (overseas all-rounder) and Lalit Rajbanshi (bowler).

Pokhara: Kushal Bhurtel (captain, batter), Shakib Al Hasan (overseas all-rounder) and Chamika Karunaratne (overseas all-rounder).

Janakpur Bolts vs Pokhara Avengers Head-to-Head: No Verified Record

No verified head-to-head record is available for this fixture, so none is claimed here. The two sides' Season 3 form lines are what matter: Janakpur's 19-run defeat to Karnali and Pokhara's opener against Sudurpaschim, still to be played when this article was written.

With seven league games each and only the top four reaching the playoffs, an early win matters more than any past meeting would. Sunday's game is decided by current form, not by history.

Venue and Conditions: TU Ground, Kirtipur

All 32 Season 3 matches are at the TU Ground in Kirtipur. The record book: the highest total here is 220 for 6 (18 November 2025), the lowest Janakpur's 51 all out, and the highest individual score Mark Watt's 114 not out.

The 5:00 PM start makes this an evening game: it begins in daylight and finishes under lights, so evening dew can become a factor late on. No verified forecast for Kirtipur on Sunday 1 November was available when this article was written.

Tactical Outlook: Evening Game, Chase First?

In an evening game, the toss gains teeth. The side batting second knows its target, and if dew arrives late, the ball skids on and favours the chase. Expect the captain winning the toss to lean towards fielding first. Janakpur's bowling in the opener supports that read: they held Karnali to 132 for 9, and it was their batting, losing six wickets for 19 runs, that lost the game.

The powerplay is the first battleground; the second is overs seven to fifteen, where Harmeet's spin and Moeen's all-round control try to squeeze Pokhara's middle order.

Expected Playing XI

Probable XIs, confirmed at the toss. See our predicted playing XIs.

The graphic XIs are reproduced exactly as published; the confirmed XIs at the toss may differ.

Where to Watch Live

In Nepal: Himalaya Sports TV. Elsewhere: NetTV (worldwide OTT rights; Nepal pass Rs 400, Middle East Rs 600, USA/Europe/Australia/Japan/Korea US$10). In India: FanCode Tour Pass (₹89), plus Star Sports Select 2/2 HD on TV in India and South Asia. Details in our live streaming; ball-by-ball scores free on the live scores.

Janakpur Bolts vs Pokhara Avengers – Who will win?

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