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

Sompal Kami’s Rare ‘Hit the Ball Twice’ Dismissal Stuns Nepal Premier League

A remarkable dismissal added an unusual twist to the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026 as Karnali Yaks captain Sompal Kami was given out for obstructing the field after striking the same delivery twice. The incident occurred during a high-pressure chase against Pokhara Avengers at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on November 9.

While field obstruction is a familiar part of cricket’s laws, a batter being dismissed after deliberately hitting a live ball for a second time remains a rare sight. The moment became one of the match’s most talked-about episodes—but it was only one part of a contest shaped by a dominant century from Pokhara opener Yuvraj Samra.

How Sompal Kami Was Dismissed

Karnali Yaks needed 218 runs to win the 19th match of the tournament, leaving little room for error in their pursuit of Pokhara’s imposing total. Kami came to the crease during the chase and faced spinner Bipin Khatri in the 15th over.

Khatri delivered the ball well outside off stump, inviting the batter to reach across and attack. Kami stretched towards it and managed only an inside edge. The ball bounced and moved back in the direction of the stumps, creating an immediate danger that it might dislodge the bails.

In an instinctive attempt to keep the ball away from his wicket, Kami struck it a second time. Although the contact prevented the ball from reaching the stumps, the action interfered with the fielding side’s opportunity to make a play. The umpires ruled him out for obstructing the field, ending his innings at a pivotal stage of the chase.

Why Hitting the Ball Twice Can Lead to a Dismissal

Cricket’s laws generally prohibit a batter from hitting the ball a second time after it has been struck, unless the action is permitted to protect the wicket or falls within another specific exception. Even when a batter’s intention is to avoid being bowled, the circumstances matter: a second strike that obstructs the fielding team can result in a dismissal.

The ruling highlights a fine distinction in the game. A batter may act to protect the wicket in certain situations, but cannot use a second hit to prevent a fielder from gathering or playing the ball. In Kami’s case, his attempt to redirect the ball became the central issue in the umpire’s decision. Such incidents are uncommon, which is why the dismissal quickly drew attention from fans following the NPL.

Pokhara Avengers Dominate the Match

Kami had made 21 from 19 deliveries, including one boundary, before he was sent back to the pavilion. His dismissal further weakened Karnali’s chase, and the Yaks were eventually bowled out for 154 in the 19th over. Pokhara Avengers secured a convincing 63-run victory, turning a strong first-innings performance into a comprehensive result.

The bowling effort was shared across the Pokhara attack. Mahedi Hasan led the way with three wickets in four overs, conceding runs at an economy rate of 6.00. Dhananjaya Lakshan, Kushal Bhurtel and Bipin Khatri each claimed two wickets, ensuring that Karnali could not build the partnerships needed to keep pace with the required run rate.

Yuvraj Samra’s Century Sets Up the Win

The match’s defining performance came earlier, when 20-year-old Canadian opener Yuvraj Samra produced a blistering century for Pokhara. Samra scored 102 from just 48 balls, striking ten fours and six sixes. His innings gave the Avengers momentum from the top of the order and helped establish the demanding target that ultimately proved beyond Karnali.

Samra found valuable support from Kushal Bhurtel, who made 62 from 39 balls. Bhurtel’s seven sixes added further acceleration, allowing Pokhara to push beyond the 200-run mark and finish with 217. The pair’s contrasting contributions—Samra’s rapid hundred and Bhurtel’s powerful half-century—gave the innings both a strong foundation and a forceful finish.

Samra was named Player of the Match for his outstanding batting display. His century was not only the standout individual effort of the contest but also the key reason Pokhara could put Karnali under pressure from the start of the chase.

What the Result Means for the NPL

Pokhara’s victory underlined the value of setting a substantial target and then maintaining pressure with the ball. A total of 217 gave the Avengers room to attack, while their bowlers made sure Karnali never found a sustained rhythm. For the Yaks, the defeat will prompt questions about how to manage a steep chase and avoid costly setbacks during crucial overs.

The unusual dismissal also offers a reminder that split-second decisions can have significant consequences in cricket. Kami’s second strike may have been an instinctive response to a ball threatening his stumps, but the laws require batters to consider the fielding team’s right to play the ball. Moments like this can influence a match’s momentum, particularly when a side is already under pressure.

For supporters looking ahead, the match provides plenty to consider in any NPL prediction: Pokhara’s explosive top order, the depth of its bowling attack and the importance of staying composed in a run chase. Samra’s form will be especially closely watched, while Karnali will need a stronger response from its batting lineup if it hopes to recover in the competition.