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Record alert! Shahab Alam creates NPL 2025 history with hat-trick against Avengers

Soumyajit Dutta

Shahab Alam [Source: @OfficialNPLT20/X]Shahab Alam [Source: @OfficialNPLT20/X]

Shahab Alam produced one of the finest spells of the NPL 2025 season as the left-arm spinner claimed a sensational hat-trick and finished with a six-wicket haul to help Kathmandu Gorkhas beat Pokhara Avengers by 13 runs in the 23rd T20. 

Bowling the final over under pressure with the Kathmandu Gorkhas needing to defend 20 runs, Alam kept his nerves of steel as he demolished the lower order of Pokhara Avengers with ease.

Shahab Alam claims hat-trick to etch name in NPL history

Alam’s hat-trick began on the second ball of the 20th over when he dismissed Bipin Khatri. Khatri attempted a reverse sweep to a tossed-up ball outside off but missed it completely. Wicketkeeper John Simpson collected it cleanly and removed the bails in a flash. 

On the next delivery, Alam completed the hat-trick by removing Aakash Chand for a golden duck. He bowled a full ball outside off, inviting Chand to play the slog sweep. The batter went hard at it but only managed a leading edge. Milind Kumar at long-on settled under the ball and completed the catch safely. 

Alam then dismissed the very important wicket of Rishi Dhawan, the set batter who was keeping Avengers alive with a blazing 54 off 31 balls. Dhawan tried to step out and hit Alam over long-on, but the ball held in the surface, causing a mishit. Kumar took another safe catch in the deep. 

Alam later capped off the innings by getting Sagar Dhakal in the final ball of the match, sealing remarkable figures of 6 for 25, one of the best spells in NPL history.

Alam's efforts derail the Avengers chase 

Earlier in the chase of 166, the Avengers fought well with contributions from Rishi Dhawan and Dhananjaya Lakshan. Dhawan’s attacking knock kept their hopes alive until Alam ended his stay. Before him, Lakshan also played a steady 30 off 27 balls as the chase looked competitive.

Kathmandu Gorkhas, who posted 165/8 thanks to Bhim Sharki’s explosive 55 off 23 and Ben Charlesworth’s patient 64, defended their total brilliantly. Karan KC and Sunny Patel supported Alam with two wickets each.