Adam Rossington’s Stellar Performance
Adam Rossington tapped his bat against the turf a couple of times. As the bowler approached, he raised the bat beside his head with the handle angled up. Once the ball was bowled, he executed a powerful swing, a stance he’s quite familiar with.
Slow Start and Explosive Finish
However, during the match on Tuesday at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Rossington began slowly. He faced two dot balls before scoring a single off the third delivery, missed the fourth, but then hit the fifth for a six, followed by two consecutive fours. By the conclusion of the first innings, he had struck 11 fours and 7 sixes, ending up unbeaten with 108 runs off 58 balls, leading the Pokhara Avengers to a total of 201/2 in 20 overs.
Historical Achievements
This performance marked the NPL’s third century ever, the second of the season, and the league’s second-highest individual score. It was also only the second instance of a team surpassing the 200-run threshold.
Partnerships and Key Moments
After losing the toss, Pokhara batted first with Rossington opening alongside skipper Kushal Bhurtel. After contributing 18 runs off 17 deliveries with three fours and a six, Bhurtel was caught out, leaving the team at 34 runs. By the end of the powerplay, they were 44/1, with no indication of the impending explosive performance.
Key Contributions
Rossington formed a key 127-run partnership for the second wicket with English teammate Jason Roy, who fell just four runs short of a fifty, scoring 46 off 34 balls. Rossington continued until the end of the innings, registering his maiden NPL hundred in just 55 deliveries, achieving this after a previous 81-run effort against Lumbini Lions.
Challenges in Defending the Total
Defending the 200+ target proved difficult for the Avengers, especially with the pitch favoring batsmen. Mark Watt, the first centurion of the season, hit a six off the first ball of the second innings. Although Karnali started strongly, losing wickets at crucial moments added pressure. Rossington highlighted Watt’s wicket as vital, stressing the challenges of defending a high target on a batting-friendly pitch.
Next Moves for Teams
Rossington now leads the NPL Season 2 run scorers with 253 runs across five innings, while his teammate Watt follows with 242 runs. Despite a disappointing performance, Karnali’s coach Raju Basnyat acknowledged the need for better partnerships and fielding. Meanwhile, the Pokhara Avengers rose to fourth on the points table with this win, whereas Karnali’s hopes for the playoffs have dwindled.
