Biratnagar Kings dominant win over Chitwan Rhinos

KATHMANDU: In the ongoing Siddhartha Bank Nepal Premier League (NPL), Biratnagar Kings kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating Chitwan Rhinos by 51 runs on Friday.

Biratnagar Kings set a target of 182 runs, and Chitwan managed only 130 runs, losing 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

For Chitwan, Amar Singh Rautela top-scored with 42 runs, hitting 3 fours and 2 sixes off 29 balls. Santosh Karki contributed 28 runs from 25 balls, including 3 fours and 1 six.

Santosh was dismissed by Sandeep Lamichhane in the fourth over after surviving a dropped catch by Basir Ahmad at the boundary when he was on 7 runs.

Captain Kushal Malla added 25 runs from 25 balls, hitting 2 fours and 1 six before being caught by Pratis Jishai off Chris Sole’s delivery. Ravi Bopara made 20 runs from 24 balls before being bowled by Subash Bhndari.

For Biratnagar Kings, Captain Sandeep Lamichhane took 2 wickets, while Chris Sole, Basir Ahmad, and Subash Bhandari each claimed 1 wicket.

Earlier, Biratnagar Kings won the toss and opted to bat first, scoring 181 runs for 5 wickets in their 20 overs. Basir Ahmad was the top scorer for Biratnagar Kings with 68 runs, hitting 4 fours and 4 sixes from 44 balls. He completed his first half-century of the tournament in just 39 balls.

Ahmad and Martin Guptill shared a 65-run partnership for the fifth wicket, with Guptill making 45 runs from 35 balls, including 1 four and 4 sixes, before being bowled by Kushal Mall. Rajesh Pulami Magar remained not out on 33, hitting 1 four and 3 sixes off 20 balls.

Ahmad and Rajesh’s partnership of 83 runs in the sixth over helped Biratnagar Kings reach a challenging total. They were awarded 23 extra runs, and the team scored 74 runs in the final 5 overs.

For Chitwan Rhinos, Rijan Dhakal took 2 wickets, while Basil Hamid, Kushal Mall, and Sohail Tanvir each took 1 wicket.

With the win, Biratnagar Kings has 4 points from 6 matches, with 2 wins and 4 losses, keeping their playoff prospects alive. Chitwan Rhinos, on the other hand, has 6 points from 6 matches, with 3 wins and 3 losses, and will face Janakpur Bolts in their final match on Saturday, a must-win game for them.

In the first match of the day, Karnali Yaks defeated Lumbini Lions by 5 runs in a thrilling contest.