An unbeaten half-century from captain Dipendra Singh Airee and a 74-run partnership with Ishan Pandey helped Sudurpaschim Royals secure their first win of the Nepal Premier League season, beating Pokhara Avengers by six wickets on Wednesday.

Sudurpaschim, who lost their opening match to Lumbini Lions by seven wickets, chased down Pokhara’s 146-run target in 16.5 overs. Pokhara, meanwhile, suffered defeat in their first match of the tournament.

Sent in to bat after losing the toss at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Pokhara made 145 for seven in 20 overs.

Bangladesh opener Mahedi Hasan top-scored with 32 off 21 balls, hitting four fours and a six. His opening partner Dinesh Kharel managed just four off seven balls, while captain Kushal Bhurtel scored 21 off 17 deliveries, including two fours.

Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan made 14 off 16 balls before falling, while Sadeera Samarawickrama scored eight, Dhananjaya Lakshan 11 and Kiran Thagunna one.

Arjun Gharti Chhetri provided a late boost, finishing unbeaten on 24 off 25 balls. In the final over, he hit New Zealand bowler Scott Kuggeleijn for two fours and a six. Bipin Khatri remained unbeaten on five.

Anil Kharel was Sudurpaschim’s leading bowler, taking three wickets for 23 runs in three overs. Kuggeleijn, Hemant Dhami and Airee claimed one wicket each.

Sudurpaschim’s chase got off to a shaky start. Opener Binod Bhandari hit a four off the first ball but was bowled the next delivery. Scottish batter Brandon McMullen made 22 off 12 balls, including two fours and a six, before being trapped lbw by Shakib Al Hasan. Opener Saif Zaib was run out for 15.

Pandey and Airee then steadied the innings with a 74-run stand that put Sudurpaschim in control. Pandey scored 37 off 31 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes, before being dismissed.

Sherfane Rutherford joined Airee and struck a six off his second delivery from Mahedi Hasan. He finished unbeaten on eight off four balls.

Airee remained unbeaten on 51, reaching his half-century with a six off Pokhara captain Bhurtel and then hitting the winning runs. He faced 36 balls, striking four fours and two sixes, and was named player of the match. All four Sudurpaschim wickets fell to overseas bowlers, with Dhananjaya Lakshan, Mahedi Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan taking one each.

Sudurpaschim reached the final in both previous editions of the NPL but have yet to win the title. Pokhara are the only team not to have reached the playoffs in either of the first two editions.