Pokhara Avengers vs Janakpur Bolts, NPL, Today Match Prediction 05 December 2024

PKA vs JKB Match Prediction & Analysis

The Nepal Premier League 2024 is underway and the Janakpur Bolts have won both matches so far. They look very promising in the way they chased down a target in both of these wins.

Pokhara Avengers, on the other hand, were bowled out for 76 runs while chasing a 162-run target in their last outing. They will now be facing an in-form side that has not only delivered brilliant chases with the bat but the bowlers have also looked quite threatening.

Bolts bowled out the opposition for 127 runs while bowling first in the last match and restricted the Karnali Yaks to 141 for 7 in the opening match. As such, the Avengers will be facing a tough challenge, especially after a crushing defeat in their opening game.

Kushal Bhurtel, captain of the Pokhara Avengers will be the key batsman at the top for the team. The likes of Bas de Leede, Raymon Reifer, and Michael Leask are others in this lineup who need to step up and deliver big to help the Avengers bounce back.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

PKA

L

CR

161/7 in 20.0 8.05

NPL

Chitwan Rhinos beat Pokhara Avengers by 87 runs 03 Dec 2024

PKA

74/10 in 13.2 5.55

JKB

W W

JKB

142/2 in 15.1 9.36

NPL

Janakpur Bolts beat Karnali Yaks by 8 wickets 02 Dec 2024

KNY

141/7 in 20.0 7.05

BK

127/10 in 19.0 6.68

NPL

Janakpur Bolts beat Biratnagar Kings by 8 wickets 30 Nov 2024

JKB

131/2 in 15.3 8.45

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Pokhara Avengers Preview

On paper, it looks like a solid overall squad. With Leede, Reifer, and Leask in the side, the middle and lower middle order is pretty strong. Nevertheless, they ended up being bowled out for 76 runs in their recent run chase.

And that must have put them on the back foot. Bhurtel must lead from the front and deliver a big knock as the opener to set the platform for a comeback in this match.

Narayan Joshi was the top scorer for Pokhara Avengers in the last match scoring 30 off 24 balls at number 9. The overseas players are new to these conditions and will require some time before they find their rhythm and score big in this tournament.

Until then, it will be up to the local players to lead the way. Dinesh Kharel and Dilip Nath need to make a significant impact in the top 3 alongside the skipper.

Once these top 3 batters have set the tone for the innings, Bas de Leede can come in at number 4 and take it further from there. He is a key all-rounder in the middle order for the Avengers.

Leede picked up 2 wickets for 20 runs from 4 Overs while bowling first in the last outing. He will be a key wicket-taker for Pokhara along with Sagar Dhakal and Raymon Reifer. There is quite a variety in this bowling attack and the skipper should expect a strong comeback against the Bolts.

Pokhara Avengers Predicted Playing XI:

Kushal Bhurtel (c), Dinesh Kharel, Dilip Nath (wk), Bas de Leede, Kiran Thagunna, Raymon Reifer, Michael Leask, Matt Critchley, Narayan Joshi, Bipin Khatri, Sagar Dhakal

Pokhara Avengers Actual Playing XI:

Kushal Bhurtel, Andries Gous, Dilip Nath, Akash Chand, Bipin Khatri, Sagar Dhakal, Matt Critchley, Michael Leask, Narayan Joshi, Raymon Reifer, Dinesh Kharel

Janakpur Bolts Preview

Janakpur Bolts have started their Nepal Premier League campaign on a winning note with back-to-back wins. The batting has looked in great shape as they’ve managed to comfortably chase down totals in both games.

Their bowlers improved their returns in the second outings and will now pose a tough challenge to the Avengers in this game. Kishore Mahanto, Lalit Rajbanshi, and Mohammad Mohsin will be the key players to watch out for in this bowling attack.

In the batting department, the Bolts have skipper Anil Sah and Aasif Sheikh opening the innings while wicket-keeper bat Lahiru Milantha comes in at number 3.

All of these 3 batters have delivered impactful performances in the first couple of matches so far, leading Janakpur Bolts to convincing wins while chasing a target.

Harsh Thaker came in at number 4 in the last match replacing James Neesham. Thaker is a handy all-rounder who will also be crucial with the ball for the Janakpur Bolts.

It is a strong overall squad with the middle-order not having been exposed much yet and if the top-order fails, it will be a test of their middle-order batters.

Janakpur Bolts Predicted Playing XI:

Anil Sah (c), Aasif Sheikh, Lahiru Milantha (wk), Harsh Thaker, Arniko Yadav, Shubh Kansakar, Mohammad Mohsin, Tul Bahadur Thapa, Ben Mike, Kishore Mahato, Lalit Rajbanshi

Janakpur Bolts Actual Playing XI:

Anil Sah, Shubh Kansakar, Lahiru Milantha, Hemant Dhami, Kishore Mahato, Lalit Rajbanshi, Tul Bahadur Thapa, Aasif Sheikh, James Neesham, Mohammad Mohsin, Harsh Thaker

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It will be clear and sunny with a high of 14 degrees Celsius in Kiritpur on the match day. There seem to be no signs of clouds or rain around the game time and we expect a complete, uninterrupted T20 match.

PKA vs JKB Pitch Report

It looks like a balanced wicket here at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. Bolts managed to dominate with both bat and ball in their recent outings here. The average 1st innings score in the last 10 T20s here is 169 runs. We reckon anything around 175 should be a match-winning total in this game.

Toss: To Bowl

Teams bowling first have won 3 of the 5 matches of Nepal Premier League 2024 played here so far. Bolts comfortably chased down totals in their recent wins and are likely to bowl first again if they win the toss. This decision might be a little different for Pokhara, however.