Kathmandu, Dec 8: Chitwan Rhinos has defeated Sudurpaschim Royals by 33 runs in a match played under the Nepal Premier League (NPL) at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur today.
This is Sudurpaschim’s first defeat in the NPL so far. Sudurpaschim had trounced Biratnagar Kings, Kathmandu Gurkhas and Lumbini Lions before this.
Sudurpaschim, which was chasing a 165-run victory target set by Chitwan Rhinos before this, was limited to 131 runs in 18.2 overs losing all its wickets. Ishan Pandey made the highest 35 runs for Sudurpaschim.
He hit four four boundaries and one six in 19 balls. Similarly, Saif Zaib scored 18 runs in 11 balls, Binod Bhandari 10 runs, Dilpreet Bajwa 12 runs and Naren Saud 10 runs.
For Chitwan Rhinos, skipper Kushal Malla, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Amar Singh Rautela took two wickets each while Rijan Dhakal and Ranjit Kumal took one wicket each.
Chitwan Rhinos, which won the toss and opted to bat first, scored 164 runs in the allotted 20 overs. Opener batter Hassan Eisakhil made 65 runs with the help of six fours and three sixes in 52 balls.
Similarly, Ravi Bopara made 36 runs, including two boundaries and two sixes in 18 balls and captain Kushal Malla hit 13 runs in 16 balls. Bipin Rawal made 17 runs.
For Sudurpaschim, Scott Kuggeleijn took two wickets while Saif Zaib, Dipendra Singh Airee and Brandon MacMullen took one wicket each.
With this, Chitwan clinched its third victory in its fourth game of the NPL. #npl #cricket
