Pokhara Avengers will bat first against Sudurpaschim Royals in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Wednesday after Sudurpaschim captain Dipendra Singh Airee won the toss and elected to field.

Pokhara, captained by Kushal Bhurtel, have named Dinesh Kharel, Arjun Gharti, Pratik Pokharel, Bipin Khatri, Kiran Thagunna and Akash Chand in their playing XI, alongside Bangladeshis Shakib Al Hasan and Mahedi Hasan and Sri Lankans Wedagedara Samarawickrama and Dhananjaya Lakshan.

It is Pokhara’s first match of the tournament. The Avengers are the only team yet to reach the playoffs in either of the first two editions. Their coach is former Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis.

Sudurpaschim, coached by Misbah-ul-Haq, have made no changes to the side that lost their opening match to defending champions Lumbini Lions by seven wickets.

Their playing XI comprises Saif Zaib, Binod Bhandari, Aarif Sheikh, Ishan Pandey, Brandon McMullen, Sherfane Rutherford, Scott Kuggeleijn, Anil Kharel, Hemant Dhami and Abinash Bohara, alongside captain Airee.

Sudurpaschim reached the final in both previous editions but have yet to win the title.