Watch: Sompal Kami suffers bizarre dismissal during Nepal Premier League 2026

Watch: Sompal Kami suffers bizarre dismissal during Nepal Premier League 2026

Sompal Kami’s Rare Double-Hit Dismissal Headlines Nepal Premier League Match

A remarkable dismissal added an unexpected twist to the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026, when Karnali Yaks captain Sompal Kami was given out for obstructing the field after striking the same delivery twice. The unusual moment came during a high-pressure chase against Pokhara Avengers at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, where the Yaks were pursuing a target of 218.

Dismissals for obstructing the field are uncommon, and one involving a batter’s second attempt to hit the ball is rarer still. The incident quickly became the match’s most striking talking point—even as Pokhara’s commanding total and Yuvraj Samra’s century ultimately shaped the result.

How the unusual dismissal unfolded

The incident occurred in the 15th over, with Pokhara spinner Bipin Khatri bowling to Kami. Khatri delivered the ball wide of off stump, inviting the batter to reach across and attack. Kami stretched for the shot but managed only an inside edge.

The ball bounced and travelled back towards the stumps. Kami then struck it a second time, sending it away from the wicket. Whether he acted instinctively to protect the stumps or simply reacted in the moment, the second contact became central to the decision: the umpires ruled that his action obstructed the fielding side, and Kami had to leave the crease.

Cricket’s laws generally prohibit a batter from deliberately striking the ball a second time after it is in play. There are limited exceptions, including an attempt to prevent the ball from hitting the stumps, but a batter cannot use a second strike to gain an advantage or interfere with a fielder’s opportunity. The precise circumstances matter, which is why such decisions can draw close attention from players and spectators alike.

Why the call attracted attention

Being dismissed for obstructing the field is unusual in professional cricket, but it is not unheard of. The decision can apply when a batter deliberately interferes with a fielder, including by using a hand or bat to stop the ball. In Kami’s case, the sequence was especially eye-catching because the ball had already made contact with his bat before he played it again.

For viewers, the moment offered a quick lesson in a less familiar part of the game. A batter may try to protect the wicket in certain circumstances, but any second contact must be judged against the laws and the effect on the fielding side. In a tense chase, a split-second reaction can therefore have a significant consequence.

Kami’s wicket deepened Karnali’s challenge

Kami departed after scoring 21 from 19 deliveries, including one boundary. His dismissal came while Karnali Yaks were already under pressure to maintain the required scoring rate. The team had been set a demanding target after Pokhara Avengers posted 217, leaving little room for mistakes during the chase.

Karnali were eventually bowled out for 154 in the 19th over, giving Pokhara a 63-run victory. The result reflected the Avengers’ strength in both innings: they built a formidable total with the bat, then took wickets regularly enough to prevent the Yaks from mounting a sustained response.

Pokhara’s bowling effort was shared across the attack. Dhananjaya Lakshan, Kushal Bhurtel and Bipin Khatri each claimed two wickets, while Mahedi Hasan led the figures with three wickets from four overs at an economy rate of 6.00. Khatri’s contribution was particularly memorable because his spell included the delivery involved in Kami’s unusual dismissal.

Yuvraj Samra’s century sets the platform

The match’s defining performance came earlier, when Canadian opener Yuvraj Samra produced a powerful innings of 102 from just 48 balls. His century featured 10 fours and six sixes, combining controlled placement with aggressive hitting to give Pokhara the momentum needed to push beyond 200.

Samra, 20, found an effective partner in Kushal Bhurtel. Bhurtel scored 62 from 39 balls, striking seven sixes and helping keep the scoring rate high. Their partnership gave the Avengers a strong foundation and ensured that the innings did not depend on one batter alone.

Samra’s ability to accelerate without losing control was central to the total. His innings put Karnali’s bowlers under sustained pressure and gave Pokhara a target that required a near-perfect chase. He was named Player of the Match for his outstanding contribution.

What the result means for the NPL conversation

Although the double-hit dismissal will likely remain one of the match’s most replayed moments, the broader story was Pokhara’s all-round performance. A century at the top of the order, a substantial supporting contribution from Bhurtel and a disciplined bowling display combined to produce a convincing win.

For Karnali, the match offered a reminder of how quickly a chase can unravel when a large target demands constant attack. Kami’s dismissal was unusual, but the Yaks still needed a strong response from the rest of the batting order to stay in contention. Their total of 154 fell well short of the required mark.

As the Nepal Premier League continues, moments like this can add fresh intrigue to the competition. Fans will be watching not only for big scores and close finishes, but also for the tactical decisions and rare incidents that make cricket unpredictable. Any prediction about the next standout NPL moment is difficult—but Kami’s dismissal has set a memorable benchmark for the 2026 season.

Latest News