Kathmandu, November 18
With Ravi Bopara’s half-century and Saif Ali Jaib’s explosive batting, Chitwan Rhinos defeated Karnali Yaks by four wickets to start the second edition of the Nepal Premier League with a victory.
Chitwan chased Karnali’s target of 167 runs, scoring 171 runs for the loss of six wickets in 19.1 overs.
For Chitwan, Bopara scored a team-high 51 runs off 35 balls, hitting 3 fours and 3 sixes. Opener Deepak Bohara added 42 runs. Saif Ali Jaib scored 38 runs off 16 balls, smashing 2 fours and 4 sixes.
In bowling, Karnali captain Sompal Kami took 2 wickets, while Mark Watt, Yunish Singh, and Yuvaraj Khatri claimed one wicket each.
This is Chitwan’s first win over Karnali in the NPL. In the first edition, Karnali had defeated Chitwan in both encounters, by 5 wickets in the league stage and by 21 runs in the eliminator.
Earlier, after losing the toss and batting first, Karnali Yaks posted 166 runs for the loss of three wickets. Indian opener Panchal faced 48 balls, hitting 7 fours and 6 sixes. He shared a 61-run stand with Max O’Dowd for the first wicket and a 63-run partnership with Mark Watt for the second wicket.
Max O’Dowd contributed 20 runs and Mark Watt added 16. Pawan Sharraf scored 27 off 16 balls, hitting 1 four and 3 sixes.
For Chitwan, Sohil Ranbhir, Saif Zaib, and Ravi Bopara took one wicket each.
