KATHMANDU: Chitwan Tigers on Saturday defeated Pokhara Rhinos by 4 wickets to clinch the Everest Premier League (EPL) title for the first time at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
Chasing the 112-run target set by Pokhara Rhinos, Chitwan reached the target in 15.5 overs by losing six wickets.
Bhim Sarki scored the highest 63 runs off 45 balls. Similarly, Dilip Nath added 18 runs, Mohammad Shahzad scored 11 runs.
Earlier, invited to bat first after losing the toss, Pokhara XI has set a target of the 112-run to Chitwan Tigers. Pokhara was all-out in 17.5 overs and could score only 111 runs.
Asela Gunaratne top-scored for Pokhara with 34 runs. Richard Levi scored 26 runs while Bipin Rawal scored 17 runs. Captain Binod Bhandari scored 22 runs.
Kamal Singh Airee of Chitwan took 4 wickets. Similarly, Karim Janat and Seekkuge Prasanna took 2 wickets each. Sompal Kami and Sagar Dhakal pocketed 1 wicket each.
Chitwan and Pokhara had played two matches in the league stage of this edition. Chitwan had won both the games.
Both the teams have reached the final for the first time. Biratnagar Warriors, the winner of the second edition, and Lalitpur Patriots, the champion of the third edition, have already gone out of the EPL journey.
Chitwan had reached the final by defeating Pokhara in the first qualifier. Pokhara made it to the final by beating Bhairahawa Gladiators in the second qualifier.
Chitwan topped the points table with eight points from four wins out of five matches while Pokhara garnered seven points from three wins and one draw-out five matches in the league stage.
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