An all-round performance by Basir Ahmed powered Biratnagar Kings to a 51-run victory against Chitwan Rhinos in the Nepal Premier League (NPL).
This marked Biratnagar’s second win in the tournament, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive with 4 points from 6 matches. On the other hand, Chitwan suffered their third loss in 6 games, dealing a major blow to their playoff campaign. Chitwan remains in fourth place with 6 points and will face already-qualified Janakpur Bolts in their final league match on Saturday.
Basir Ahamad’s contribution with both bat and ball was instrumental in Biratnagar’s win. He scored an unbeaten half-century and bowled economically, picking up one wicket.
Chasing a target of 182, Chitwan Rhinos managed to score only 130/5 in their 20 overs. Amar Singh Routela top-scored for Chitwan with 42 runs off 29 balls, hitting 3 fours and 2 sixes. Opener Santosh Karki scored 28 runs off 25 balls, captain Kushal Malla added 25 runs off 25 balls, and Ravi Bopara contributed 20 runs off 24 balls.
Biratnagar’s captain Sandeep Lamichhane was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 wickets for 28 runs in 4 overs. Basir Ahamad bowled a maiden over and gave away only 19 runs while taking 1 wicket in his 4 overs. Chris Sole and Subash Bhandari also chipped in with one wicket each.
Earlier, Biratnagar posted 181/6 in their allotted 20 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Basir Ahamad, who scored his maiden NPL half-century, remained unbeaten on 68 runs off 44 balls, hitting 4 fours and 4 sixes. Rajesh Pulami Magar also remained unbeaten with 33 runs, while Martin Guptill scored a quick 45 runs.
Chitwan’s fielding lapses proved costly, as both Basir and Guptill benefited from dropped catches. Sohail Tanvir dropped Basir’s catch when he was on 8 runs in the 9th over, while captain Kushal Malla dropped Guptill’s catch in the 13th over.
Despite a shaky start, Biratnagar finished their innings strongly, scoring 69 runs in the last 4 overs. At one stage, Biratnagar was reeling at 33/4 after losing Lokesh Bam, Deepak Bohara, Scott Edwards, and Nicholas Kirton early in the innings. However, a crucial 65-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Guptill and Basir stabilized the innings. Basir then added an unbeaten 83-run stand for the sixth wicket with Rajesh Pulami to take the team to a competitive total.
For Chitwan, Rejan Dhakal was the most successful bowler with 2 wickets for 40 runs in 4 overs. Sohail Tanvir, Basil Hameed, and Kushal Malla picked up 1 wicket each. UAE’s Basil Hameed, playing his debut NPL match, impressed with figures of 4-0-15-1.
