Upul Tharanga’s efforts in vain for Avengers

Former Sri Lanka opening batsman Upul Tharanga figured in a vain effort for his franchise Pokhara Avengers in their Nepal T20 League match against the Lumbini All Stars at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Grounds in Kirtipur, Kathmandu yesterday.

The 37-year-old left-hand wicket-keeper batsman struck 42 from 51 deliveries inclusive of one six and two boundaries and put on 96 runs for the third wicket along with Kushal Malla, who hit a top score of 61 with the help of five sixes and the same number of boundaries.

However, the Lumbini All Stars managed to reach their target in the last ball of the innings with three wickets to spare with Player-of-the-Match Shadley van Schalkwyk stroking an unbeaten 31.

Chief scores

Pokhara Avengers: 133/9 in 20 overs (Upul Tharanga 42, Kushal Malla 61, Shadley van Schalkwyk 3/27, Kishore Mahato 2/20, Gulsan Jha 2/42)

Lumbini All Stars: 135/7 in 20 overs (Unmukt Chand 22, Kushal Bhurtel 39, Shadley van Schalkwyk 31 n.o, Bipin Khatri 2/22, Kushal Malla 2/8).