Cricket
Janakpur Bolts and Pokhara Avengers are scheduled to meet in Match 9 of the 2026 Nepal Premier League at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Sunday, November 1, with the current official NPL fixture listing setting the start for 5:00 pm Nepal time. Same-day previews from Republica and Ratopati place the contest in a clear early-season context.
Janakpur have two points from two matches: they lost their opener to Karnali Yaks by 19 runs before responding with an eight-wicket win over Kathmandu Gurkhas. In that second match, Kathmandu made 115 for nine and Janakpur reached 116 for two with sixteen balls remaining. Pokhara have played once and are still looking for their first points after Sudurpaschim Royals chased 146 to win by six wickets.
Ratopati’s November 1 preview adds that the teams have split their two previous NPL meetings, with Janakpur winning their first-edition encounter by seven wickets and Pokhara taking the second-edition meeting by 25 runs. Sunday’s winner would therefore move ahead in their NPL head-to-head record.
The match is newly timely because it follows a Saturday programme heavily affected by rain and a saturated outfield. Lumbini Lions against Chitwan Rhinos was abandoned without a toss, while Biratnagar Kings and Sudurpaschim Royals eventually played only five overs per side late in the evening.
The official Department of Hydrology and Meteorology information available on Sunday morning says the remnants of the Arnab cyclone near western Nepal have weakened and that the weather should improve gradually, although light rain or snowfall remains possible at one or two places in the country’s hilly and Himalayan regions. The department’s Kathmandu point forecast currently shows a zero percent rain figure for the day.
That forecast is encouraging for spectators, but it is not a guarantee that the Kirtipur outfield will be ready for a full twenty-over match after the previous days’ rain. Any inspection, delay, reduction in overs or change to the start remains a decision for match officials and organisers.
As of this update at about 9:30 am NPT, the official NPL page and OnlineKhabar’s tournament centre both continue to list Janakpur versus Pokhara for 5:00 pm NPT and show that the toss has not yet taken place.
Republica’s November 1 preview lists Janakpur captain Harmeet Singh alongside Iftikhar Ahmed, James Neesham, Moeen Ali, Anil Kumar Sah, Lalit Rajbanshi, Rit Gautam and Ashutosh Pandey in the squad. Pokhara are led by Kushal Bhurtel, with the preview naming Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan, Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Sagar Dhakal, Arjun Gharti and Arjun Kumal among their options.
Squad listings do not confirm the final playing elevens, which will only be known at the toss. From a competition perspective, Janakpur have already shown two different outcomes: their 113 for nine was not enough against Karnali, but a much more controlled chase delivered the win over Kathmandu.
Pokhara’s first match produced a competitive 145 for seven before Sudurpaschim completed the chase in 14.3 overs, indicating that their immediate challenge is not simply setting a total but controlling the opposition’s scoring rate. That interpretation is analysis based on the recorded results, not a prediction of Sunday’s winner.
With the teams level at one win each in their historical NPL meetings, contrasting early form and weather recovery around the venue, the fixture offers a straightforward supporter-focused story without needing speculation about selections or conditions. Readers should rely on the official match centre for any late operational update before travelling or following the 5:00 pm start.
Source publication date: 2026-11-01. Event or reporting period: 2026-11-01.
Sources:Republica, published November 1, 2026; same-day fixture preview, 5:00 pm NPT start and squad context; original featured graphic · Ratopati English, published November 1, 2026; current form and one-all historical NPL head-to-head record · Nepal Premier League official fixtures, checked November 1, 2026 at about 9:30 am NPT; Match 9 listed for 5:00 pm NPT in Kirtipur · OnlineKhabar NPL tournament centre, checked November 1, 2026 at about 9:30 am NPT; current standings, recent results and 5:00 pm fixture status · Government of Nepal Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, checked November 1, 2026; improving national weather outlook and Kathmandu point forecast
Source: GPT News Feed
