KATHMANDU: Chitwan Rhinos made a strong start in the Nepal Premier League (NPL), defeating Kathmandu Gurkhas by 5 wickets in the opening match on Monday.
Chasing a target of 112 runs set by Kathmandu, Chitwan achieved it comfortably in 17.1 overs, losing 5 wickets in the process.
Santosh Karki and Sharad Bheswakar combined for an unbeaten 46-run partnership for the sixth wicket, guiding Chitwan to victory.
Karki remained not out on 28 runs, while Bheswakar was not out on 11.
Chitwan’s innings saw early setbacks, with opener Deepak Bohara dismissed for 7 runs, caught lbw. Hashan Isakhil followed soon after, returning to the pavilion for 12 runs.
Luke Martin Benkenstein contributed 22 runs off 17 balls, including 1 four and 2 sixes, before being caught lbw by Gerhard Erasmus. Kushal Malla and Rabi Bohara were both dismissed for 11 runs each.
Kathmandu’s Sahab Alam was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets, while Gerhard Erasmus and Dan Douthwaite each claimed 1 wicket.
Earlier, Kathmandu, batting first after Chitwan won the toss and elected to field at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, posted a total of 111 runs for 9 wickets in their 20 overs.
Sohail Tanbhir was the star bowler for Chitwan, taking 5 wickets and conceding just 21 runs in his spell.
He became the first player in NPL history to take five wickets in a single match. Captain Kushal Malla, Amar Rautela, Luke Martin Benkenstein, and Rijan Dhakal each took 1 wicket.
Kathmandu’s Sumit Maharjan top-scored with 29 runs, while Michael Levitt added 25 runs before being dismissed. Dan Douthwaite remained unbeaten on 19, with Dipesh Kandel finishing on 1. Bhim Sarki, Karan KC, and Sahab Alam were all dismissed for just 1 run each.
Rashid Khan was caught out after scoring 4 runs, and Shankar Rana fell for 16 runs.
Kathmandu’s early batting collapses saw them lose wickets quickly, with Bhim Sarki trapped lbw by Tanbhir and Gerard Erasmus bowled by Malla for 4 runs.
In the second match today, Karnali Yaks will face Janakpur Bolts.
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