Pokhara Avengers vs Sudurpaschim Royals Prediction, Fantasy Tips & Dream11 Team | NPL 2026 Match 4

On paper, the Royals are the more settled side. In NPL 2025 they won six of seven league games and topped the table with 12 points, while Pokhara won three of seven and finished fifth.

Pokhara’s 2025 record has a clear pattern. All three of their wins came against teams that finished in the bottom three (Karnali, Janakpur, and Chitwan). All four defeats came against the top four. One of those was a 53-run loss to Biratnagar, when they were bowled out for 167, chasing 221.

Both squads have changed. Adam Rossington, the 2025 tournament’s top run-scorer with 323 runs, is not in Pokhara’s 2026 squad list. Chris Lynn, Josh Brown (68, off 35 against Pokhara last year), and Harmeet Singh are no longer with the Royals, and Harmeet now captains Janakpur. Sudurpaschim’s overseas trio is Saif Zaib, Scott Kuggeleijn, and Brandon McMullen.

2026 Nepal Premier League +4

Royals’ top order vs Pokhara’s slow left-arm options. Sagar Dhakal, Bipin Khatri, Dinesh Kharel, and Shakib are all slow left-arm bowlers.

Pokhara’s top order vs Royals’ pace. Bhurtel and the openers face Abinash Bohara and Kuggeleijn with the new ball.

If the surface still has grass (unconfirmed), the power play could favor Sudurpaschim’s pace. If it flattens, the middle-overs spin contest decides the match. This is an expected scenario, not a confirmed one.

Want to follow the match live? Check the Pokhara Avengers vs. Sudurpaschim Royals full scorecard for live scores, ball-by-ball commentary, toss, and match updates.

The Royals have a slight edge before the toss. They retained seven players, including captain Airee, Bhandari, and Bohara. They have topped the league stage in both seasons.

Pace attack. Bohara and Kuggeleijn suit a surface that may still carry grass, though this is unconfirmed.

Pokhara’s upside. Shakib, Lakshan, and Mendis add quality, but Shakib’s availability is uncertain; last season’s leading scorer is gone, and a wicketkeeper is unconfirmed.

Opening-match factor. This is Pokhara’s first game of the season against a team that will already have played once.

The margin is not wide. Previous results were by 5 and 18 runs, and every season starts from zero.

Sudurpaschim’s top order and attack offer the most reliable fantasy points. Airee, Zaib, and Bhandari bat early, and Airee and Zaib also bowl. Bohara is the main wicket-taker.

From Pokhara, Bhurtel is the safest batting pick. Shakib can return points through both skills, but only pick him once he is confirmed in the XI. Pokhara’s left-arm spinners (Khatri, Dhakal) are options if the surface turns.

Lakshan is the differential. He offers batting and bowling returns and is easy to overlook next to Shakib.

Keep to a maximum of seven players from one team, and confirm each player’s role label on your platform. Kuggeleijn is often classed differently from one platform to another.

Safe fantasy picks: Dipendra Singh Airee (SPR), Saif Zaib (SPR), Binod Bhandari (SPR), Abinash Bohara (SPR), Kushal Bhurtel (POA)

Higher-risk, higher-reward picks: Shakib Al Hasan (POA, only if in XI), Dhananjaya Lakshan (POA, differential), Scott Kuggeleijn (SPR), Bipin Khatri (POA)

Sudurpaschim Royals are narrow favorites. Their retained core, their pace attack, and their two wins over Pokhara give them the edge in our pre-match assessment.

Best fantasy picks are Airee as captain and Zaib as vice-captain, with Lakshan as the differential. The main factor that could change this prediction is Shakib’s availability. If he plays and the pitch turns, Pokhara’s chances improve.