Kathmandu, November 2
Sudurpaschim Royals defeated Chitwan Rhinos by five wickets in the second match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Monday, chasing down a target of 130 with 20 balls to spare.
Sudurpaschim reached 131 for five in 16.4 overs to secure their second win of the tournament. They now have four points from four matches.
It was Chitwan’s first defeat of the campaign. They had beaten Biratnagar Kings in their opening match, while their second game against Lumbini Lions was abandoned due to rain, with both teams sharing a point.
Chitwan have three points from three matches. Following their defeat, defending champions Lumbini Lions are now the only unbeaten team in the third edition of the tournament.
Brandon McMullen was the leading scorer for Sudurpaschim, smashing 43 off 21 balls with six fours and two sixes. Ishan Pandey contributed 25 from 29 balls, including two boundaries.
Sudurpaschim lost their first wicket with just three runs on the board, but McMullen and Binod Bhandari added 31 runs for the second wicket. Bhandari was dismissed for 11.
McMullen then shared a 36-run partnership with Pandey for the third wicket. However, the dismissals of McMullen and captain Dipendra Singh Airee left Sudurpaschim struggling at 70 for four.
Pandey and Aarif Sheikh steadied the innings with a 33-run partnership for the fifth wicket. After Pandey’s dismissal, Aarif joined Sherfane Rutherford to take the team across the finish line.
Rutherford remained unbeaten on 21 off 15 balls, hitting two fours and a six, while Aarif scored an unbeaten 20 from 26 deliveries.
For Chitwan, Ranjit Kumar took three wickets for 28 runs in his four overs. Rijan Dhakal and Mausam Dhakal claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, after losing the toss at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Chitwan posted 129 for six in their allotted 20 overs, with Ravi Bopara scoring 49.
Batting at number four, Bopara made 49 from 40 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes. He fell one run short of a half-century while attempting a big shot.
Chitwan were reduced to 27 for two before Bopara and Dawid Malan put together a 35-run partnership. Bopara later added 32 runs with captain Sikandar Raza for the fourth wicket.
Bibek Kumar Yadav scored 17 off 15 balls, including a four and a six, before being run out off the final delivery. Malan made 16, while Arjun Saud and Raza contributed 15 each. Tom Taylor remained unbeaten on six.
For Sudurpaschim, Scott Kuggeleijn took two wickets, while Hemant Dhami, captain Dipendra Singh Airee and Anil Kharel claimed one each.
Two matches are scheduled for Tuesday. Biratnagar Kings will face Janakpur Bolts in the first match, followed by Lumbini Lions against Pokhara Avengers.
