KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Gorkhas secured a comfortable 53-run victory over Chitwan Rhinos in the first match of Friday’s Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 2 fixture at the TU International Cricket Ground.
Chasing a target of 143 runs, Chitwan collapsed for just 89 runs in 17.1 overs, losing all their wickets after struggling with the bat from the very start. The defeat marks Chitwan’s second loss of the season. The team had earlier defeated Biratnagar Bolts and Karnali Yaks and also secured a win against Lumbini Lions.
Kathmandu, meanwhile, registered their third win of the tournament. They had previously beaten Lumbini Lions and Janakpur Royals, while suffering losses against Biratnagar Bolts and Sudurpaschim Royals.
Chitwan’s innings faltered from the opening overs. Opener Deepak Bohora was dismissed for a duck in the first over, followed shortly by fellow opener David Malan, who fell in the third over. The top order continued to crumble as Saif Zaib was dismissed in the fifth over, followed by Dev Khanal, who scored 21 runs off 18 balls before getting out.
Chitwan’s highest scorers were Dev Khanal and Ravi Bopara, both contributing 21 runs each. Sohail Tanvir added 18 runs, while the rest of the batting lineup failed to reach double digits. Bopara, who had hit three consecutive half-centuries in previous matches, also struggled in this game.
Kathmandu’s bowlers delivered an impressive performance. Rashid Khan starred with three wickets, including the crucial dismissal of Bopara. Karan KC took the wickets of Bohora and Tanvir, while Milind Kumar removed Malan and Zaib. Saib Alam claimed the wickets of Dev Khanal and Kushal Malla, and Santosh Yadav added one wicket to the tally.
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