Chitwan Rhinos made a winning start in the Nepal Premier League by defeating Kathmandu Gurkhas by 5 wickets in the first match of the second day at the TU Ground, Kirtipur.
Chasing a modest target of 112 runs, Chitwan reached the total with 17 balls to spare, losing 5 wickets. Santosh Karki top-scored with an unbeaten 28 runs off 31 balls, hitting 2 fours and a six. Luc Benkenstein contributed 22 runs, Hassan Eisakhil scored 12, while Kushal Malla, Ravi Bopara, and Sharad Vesawkar remained unbeaten on 11 runs each.
At one point, Chitwan was struggling at 68/5, but an unbeaten 46-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Santosh Karki and Sharad Vesawkar guided the team to victory.
For Kathmandu Gurkhas, left-arm spinner Shahab Alam was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 20 runs in 4 overs. Gerhard Erasmus and Dan Douthwaite claimed 1 wicket each.
Earlier, after losing the toss and being asked to bat, Kathmandu Gurkhas posted a total of 111/9 in their 20 overs.
Sumit Maharjan, batting at No. 3, top-scored with 29 runs off 41 balls, hitting 1 boundary. Opener Michael Levitt made a quick 25 off 16 balls, smashing 4 fours and 1 six, while Dan Douthwaite remained unbeaten on 19, and Shankar Rana contributed 16 runs. However, no other batter managed to reach double figures.
Chitwan’s bowlers, led by left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir, dominated the innings. The Pakistani bowler claimed 5 wickets, conceding just 21 runs in his 4 overs. Rijan Dhakal, Kushal Malla, Amar Singh Routela, and Luc Benkenstein took 1 wicket each.
Sohail Tanvir was adjudged Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance.
Post Match Interview with Sohail Tanvir & Karan KC
