Kathmandu, October 27
Kamal Singh Airee delivered a match-turning spell as Chitwan Rhinos defeated Biratnagar Kings by eight runs in the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Monday.
Chasing a target of 158, Biratnagar were bowled out for 149 in 19.3 overs at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground.
Airee was Chitwan’s standout bowler, taking four wickets for 26 runs in his four overs. He struck twice in succession in the 18th over to swing the match in Chitwan’s favour when Biratnagar appeared to be in a strong position.
Biratnagar needed 21 runs from the final three overs with wickets in hand. However, Airee dismissed Rupesh Singh and Pratish GC without either batter scoring, putting Biratnagar under pressure.
Rijan Dhakal then took two wickets in the 19th over to leave Biratnagar struggling to keep up with the required run rate.
Andre Russell had earlier revived Biratnagar’s chase with an aggressive innings of 33 off just 17 balls, including a four and four sixes. He helped move the team into a competitive position after Charith Asalanka was dismissed for eight and Basir Ahmed for 13.
Basir had shared a 43-run partnership off 24 balls with Angelo Mathews, who scored 14 before being dismissed.
Opener Imran Sheikh was Biratnagar’s top scorer with 39 runs. He and Lokesh Bam put on 40 runs for the first wicket before Bam was dismissed for 26 off 14 balls. Shubham Ranjane scored 10, while captain Sandeep Lamichhane was dismissed without scoring.
Ranjit Kumar, Mausam Dhakal, Tom Taylor and Dan Mousley took one wicket each for Chitwan.
Earlier, Chitwan posted 157/3 in their 20 overs after losing the toss and being sent in to bat.
Dawid Malan top-scored with 70 off 51 balls, including five fours and five sixes. He shared an opening stand of 58 runs with Dev Khanal, who scored 12 off 15 balls.
Asalanka provided Biratnagar with the first breakthrough, dismissing wicketkeeper-batter Arjun Saud for three off nine balls. Saud was caught by Lamichhane off Mathews on the final ball of the 11th over.
Malan was dismissed by Russell in the 13th over, but Chitwan finished strongly through an unbeaten 67-run partnership between captain Ravi Bopara and Mousley for the third wicket.
Bopara remained unbeaten on 32, while Mousley finished on 29.
The day’s second match will see Janakpur Bolts take on Karnali Yaks.
