Pokhara Avengers Name Chamika Karunaratne Captain Ahead of Chitwan Rhinos Match
Pokhara Avengers have appointed Sri Lankan all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne as their new captain, while Chitwan Rhinos have retained Zimbabwe veteran Sikandar Raza to lead their squad in the Nepal Premier League (NPL). Pokhara won the toss and elected to field first at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Ratopati reported.
The fixture between the Chitwan Rhinos and Pokhara Avengers marked the 17th match of the tournament schedule on November 6. Action at Kirtipur kicked off earlier in the day with Match 16 between the Royals and the Yaks, followed by the afternoon clash featuring Karunaratne’s side and Raza’s Chitwan squad.
Captaincy Changes and Team Lineups
Pokhara’s decision to name Karunaratne captain represents a direct effort to alter their campaign trajectory. The Avengers made the leadership switch following earlier fixtures, including their Sunday, November 1 encounter against Janakpur Bolts when NPL play resumed, as reported by The Kathmandu Post.
Chitwan Rhinos chose stability by sticking with Raza as captain. Chitwan started their campaign on a positive note, picking up a five-wicket win over Kathmandu in their opening fixture. IGN reported that Chitwan entered Match 5 of the season looking to build on that initial win, relying heavily on Raza’s all-round contribution and tactical decision-making in the middle overs.
Tournament Schedule and Match Details at Kirtipur
The Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur remains the central venue for the tournament’s fixtures. Match 17 on November 6 took place during a busy week for ground staff and competing teams.
On November 4, defending champions Lumbini Lions maintained an undefeated start to their season, securing three straight wins in their first three matches, the Kathmandu Post reported. That run added pressure on both Pokhara and Chitwan to capture maximum points in their head-to-head meeting. The Kirtipur venue has previously hosted major league fixtures involving Pokhara, including Match 14 of the Nepal T20 2022-23 season against Far West United.
Form Guide and Head-to-Head History
The rivalry between the two franchises spans several editions of Nepalese league cricket. Prior encounters include Match 5 of the 2024 season, where Chitwan sought their second consecutive win, and Match 27 of the 2025 season at the same venue.
Fantasy cricket platforms AI11 and IGN noted high interest in player selections for the latest Chitwan Rhinos and Pokhara Avengers match. Analysts pointed to Chitwan’s top-order run chases and Pokhara’s middle-order reorganisation under Karunaratne as the primary tactical factors shaping the outcome on the Kirtipur pitch.
Live Telecast and Broadcast Options
The match was made available for television viewers and online streaming across India and Nepal, Outlook India reported. Coverage included live broadcasts of the toss, official playing XI announcements, and full digital streaming options from the Kirtipur ground.
Following the conclusion of Match 17 on November 6, Pokhara Avengers look ahead to their remaining fixture list under Karunaratne’s captaincy, while Chitwan Rhinos continue their regular round-robin schedule at Kirtipur under Raza.
Based on reports from
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