Lumbini Lions vs Pokhara Avengers Match Preview – NPL Season 3 Match 13

Lumbini Lions vs Pokhara Avengers match preview for NPL Season 3 Match 13: the Tuesday evening game at the TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, on Tuesday 3 November at 5:00 PM NST, Rohit Paudel’s Lumbini against Kushal Bhurtel’s Pokhara. Lumbini have a win and a washout behind them; Pokhara have two defeats, so the form lines below come with that gap — and with a graphic XI that keeps faith with both captains’ cores.

Match Details

Lumbini Lions vs Pokhara Avengers Match Preview: Tuesday Evening Game at Kirtipur

Lumbini arrive with two fixtures behind them: the opener against Sudurpaschim in Match 1, won by 7 wickets, and the washed-out game against Chitwan in Match 7, abandoned without a toss. Pokhara arrive with two defeats: the opener against Sudurpaschim in Match 4, lost by 6 wickets, and the nine-run defeat to Janakpur in Match 9. So the form lines here point one way, and Tuesday’s game is also the second game of a double-header day.

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 Lumbini’s win and washout, Pokhara’s two defeats, the two captains, and the slower track at Kirtipur.

Lumbini Lions Preview: Rohit Paudel's Side, Third Game In

Captain Rohit Paudel leads Lumbini under coach Tinu Yohannan. The pre-match graphic XI is built around Paudel, wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh and overseas all-rounder D’Arcy Short.

Lumbini’s opener against Sudurpaschim was a comfortable chase: Sudurpaschim were bowled out for 87 in 17.2 overs, and Lumbini reached 88 for 3 in 9.5 overs. D’Arcy Short top-scored with 40 off 18, Aasif Sheikh made 32 off 25, and Sher Malla took 3 for 11 to be named player of the match, with Kishor Mahato taking 4 for 22. The second fixture, against Chitwan, never started: no toss, no ball, and a point each. That is the form line Pokhara must deal with: a champion side that has already won a chase, and a bowling attack that bowled Sudurpaschim out for 87.

Pokhara Avengers Preview: Kushal Bhurtel's Side, Third 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 Mahedi Hasan.

Pokhara’s Season 3 form is two defeats from two. Against Sudurpaschim in Match 4, Pokhara made 145 for 7 and lost by 6 wickets, with Dipendra Singh Airee unbeaten on 51 for the winners. Against Janakpur in Match 9, Pokhara chased 148 and finished on 138 for 9, nine runs short, with Trit Raj Das’s 61 off 55 the difference. Two games, zero points, and a side still looking for its first win. That is the form line Lumbini must deal with: a team with Shakib in it, a powerplay plan built on aggression, and nothing to lose.

Key Battles: Three Duels

Rohit Paudel against Kushal Bhurtel comes first: the two captains, and the two most important wickets in the game. Paudel leads the defending champions; Bhurtel leads a side chasing its first win. If either captain goes early, his side loses its anchor in one wicket.

Second, Aasif Sheikh against Shakib Al Hasan: the graphic’s second duel, Lumbini’s wicketkeeper-batter against Pokhara’s overseas all-rounder. Third, the slower track itself: the graphic notes good assistance for spinners and medium-pacers, so the middle overs decide this one, where Pokhara’s powerplay aggression meets Lumbini’s spin.

Players to Watch: NPL Season 3 Match 13

Lumbini: Rohit Paudel (captain), D’Arcy Short (40 off 18 in the opener) and Niroshan Dickwella (overseas batter in the graphic XI).

Pokhara: Kushal Bhurtel (captain), Shakib Al Hasan (overseas all-rounder) and Mahedi Hasan (in the graphic XI after playing Match 9).

Lumbini Lions 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. It is also their first meeting in Season 3: Lumbini have played Matches 1 and 7, Pokhara have played Matches 4 and 9, and the two sides have not met yet this season.

With seven league games each and only the top four reaching the playoffs, an early win matters more than any past meeting would. Tuesday’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 runs under lights, and the pre-match graphic notes a slower track offering good assistance for spinners and medium-pacers, with a clear sky.

Tactical Outlook: Evening Game, Bat First or Chase?

In an evening game, the toss matters more than it does in a day game. The game starts at 5:00 PM NST, and the captain winning the toss, about 4:30 PM NST, makes the call with the lights and the evening conditions in mind, and the first innings sets the tone either way.

The powerplay is the first battleground, where the graphic has Pokhara seeking ultra-aggressive play, and the second is overs seven to fifteen, where Lumbini’s spinners and medium-pacers, on a slower track, 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; full coverage sits on the match page.

Lumbini Lions vs Pokhara Avengers – Who will win?

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