Karnai Yaks face the uphill challenge of playing against unbeaten Chitwan Rhinos in the day’s first game. It’s been the opposite start for two teams. While Yaks lost both matches, Rhinos are one of three unbeaten sides in the tournament. Karnali failed to defend 140-ish totals in both games. Skipper Sompal Kami hasn’t had his best of the form with the ball in two matches thus far. They will be under pressure especially if they are to defend once again.
Karnali are desperately looking for a win whereas Chitwan will push Janakpur Bolts for the top spot. Shikhar Dhawan hit the ground running with a 51-ball 72 in the second game. He will have a big responsibility to score big as his opening partner Dev Khanal is having a terrible time with the bat – 1 & 0. The form of two overseas batters – Chadwick Walton and Babar Hayat – is somewhat worrying for Yaks as they have mustered only 44 runs between them. He Chitwan’s openers are yet to fire.
Despite two wins from two matches, Chitwan Toporder is looking shaky. Between the Top three – Hassan Eisakhil, Deepak Bohara, and Luc Martin Benkenstein – there has been only one 20-plus score in two games so far. Once their opening pair fires, Chitwan Tigers will be even stronger as their middle order is probably the best and most experienced in the competition. The Duo of Rijan Dhakal and Sohail Tanvir have been the best opening bowlers in the competition. Two left-arm pace bowlers have shared 14 wickets between them. If Karnali are to push a bigger total or chase runs, they face the stiff challenge of two in-form duos.
Probable Playing XI of Karnali Yaks
Dev Khanal/Rit Gautam
Shikhar Dhawan
Chadwick Walton
Babar Hayat
Zeeshan Maqsood
Gulsan Jha
Arjun Gharti
Sompal Kami
Nandan Yadav
Mausam Dhakal
Bhuvan Karki
Probable XI of Chitwan Rhinos
Hassan Eisakhil
Deepak Bohara
Luc Benkenstein
Kushal Malla (C)
Ravi Bopara
Santosh Karki
Sharad Vesawkar
Bipin Rawal (Wk)/Ranjit Kumar
Amar Singh Rautela
Rijan Dhakal
Sohail Tanvir
