KATHMANDU: Chitwan Rhinos registered their second victory in the Nepal Premier League (NPL), defeating Pokhara Avengers by 30 runs in a match dominated by an impressive bowling performance at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Friday.
Chasing a target of 152 runs, Pokhara were bowled out for 121 in 19 overs, suffering their fourth consecutive defeat in the tournament.
With the victory, Chitwan climbed to third place in the points table with five points from four matches. Pokhara, meanwhile, remain at the bottom without a point after losing all four of their matches.
Arjun Kumal was Pokhara’s top scorer with 45 runs off 44 balls, including three boundaries and a six. Yuvraj Samra contributed 19 runs, while Kiran Thagunna and Arjun Gharti scored 12 runs each. The remaining batters failed to reach double figures.
Pokhara got off to a disastrous start, losing opener Kushal Bhurtel for just four runs on the third ball of the opening over. Yuvraj Samra and Arjun Kumal then added 35 runs for the second wicket, briefly stabilising the innings.
However, Samra’s dismissal for 19 off 14 balls triggered a collapse in the Pokhara batting lineup. Kumal attempted to anchor the innings from one end but received little support from his teammates.
Sadira Samra was dismissed for four runs, Mehedi Hasan managed seven, while captain Chamika Karunaratne departed after scoring just two runs.
Chitwan’s bowling attack was led by an outstanding performance from Region Dhakal, who claimed four wickets for 24 runs in his four overs. Kamal Singh Airee also impressed, taking three wickets for just seven runs in two overs, including a maiden. Dan Mosley, Mausam Dhakal and Kushal Malla picked up one wicket each.
Earlier, Chitwan posted 151 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs after being asked to bat first.
Captain Sikandar Raza led the scoring with an explosive 37 off just 16 deliveries, hitting two fours and four sixes. Ravi Bopara contributed 35 runs, Arjun Saud scored 31, and Dawid Malan added 28.
Openers Saud and Malan provided Chitwan with a solid foundation, putting together a 60-run partnership for the first wicket. Saud struck two fours and a six in his 27-ball innings, while Malan hit three boundaries in 28 deliveries.
After the opening partnership was broken, Bopara took responsibility for maintaining the momentum. Dan Mosley was dismissed for two runs, while marquee player Kushal Malla, making his first appearance of the season, scored 11.
With Chitwan reduced to 86 for four, Bopara and captain Raza rebuilt the innings through a crucial 60-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Bopara scored 35 off 28 balls, including three fours and a six. However, Pokhara captain Karunaratne struck twice in the final over, dismissing both Bopara and Raza to restrict Chitwan to 151.
For Pokhara, Karunaratne, Bipin Khatri and Kushal Bhurtel claimed two wickets each.
Pokhara had changed their captaincy ahead of the match following three consecutive defeats, handing the leadership to Sri Lankan all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne in place of Kushal Bhurtel. However, the leadership change failed to produce the desired result, as the team continued its losing run.
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