
Kathmandu, December 6
Karnali Yaks registered their first victory in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) by defeating Chitwan Rhinos by six wickets on Friday.
Outstanding performances from Bipin Sharma, who claimed three wickets, and Shikhar Dhawan, who scored 45 runs, helped Karnali chase Chitwan’s target of 131 runs in 19.5 overs, losing just three wickets. Chadwick Walton contributed 30 runs, while Dev Khanal scored 25. Jisaan Maqsood remained unbeaten with 12 runs.
In a thrilling final over, Karnali required nine runs. Arjun Gharti added six runs off the first three deliveries but was run out on the fourth, leaving three runs needed from two balls. Maqsood sealed the win with a boundary on the fifth ball.
Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Dev Khanal provided a solid start with a 53-run partnership in 9.5 overs. Khanal scored 25 off 34 balls, hitting a boundary and a six, before being dismissed by Chitwan captain Kushal Malla. Dhawan, who hit four boundaries and a six in his 45-run knock off 41 balls, was caught and bowled by Jan Loftie-Eaton in the 16th over.
In bowling, Kushal Malla, Jan Loftie-Eaton, and Ravi Bopara each took a wicket for Chitwan.
Earlier, Chitwan Rhinos, batting first at the TU ground, posted 130/7, with Ravi Bopara scoring an unbeaten 59 off 40 balls, including seven boundaries and a six. This marked Bopara’s second consecutive half-century in the tournament. He also added 60 runs for the fourth wicket with Kushal Malla, who scored 23.
For Karnali, Bipin Sharma impressed with three wickets for 21 runs in four overs. Jisaan Maqsood took two wickets, while Nandan Yadav and captain Sompal Kami claimed one each.
This victory ended Karnali’s two-match losing streak and gave them two points in the league standings.