Chitwan Rhinos set 131-run target for Karnali Yaks

KATHMANDU: Chitwan Rhinos set a target of 131 runs for Karnali Yaks in the first match of the day in the ongoing Nepal Premier League (NPL) at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, on Friday. Karnali opted to bowl first after winning the toss, limiting the Rhinos to 130-7 in their 20 overs.  

The most impressive player for Chitwan was Ravi Bopara, who led the innings despite multiple wicket losses with an undefeated 59 runs off 40 balls. After an early collapse, the squad found it difficult to gain momentum despite his attempts.  

Luc Benkenstein, the opener, was dismissed for a duck in the first over, giving Chitwan a rough start. They were under tremendous strain from the Karnali bowling assault and had only managed to score 28 runs at the end of the powerplay (6 overs) after losing three wickets. 

In the 13th over, Ravi Bopara and Kushal Malla's vital 59-run partnership helped to steady the innings and raise the score to 82-4. But Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (9 off 12) and Sohail Tanvir (0 off 2) were dismissed in the 16th over, dealing the Rhinos a double blow that further halted their momentum.  

Bipin Prasad Sharma spearheaded Karnali's bowling attack, taking three wickets for 21 runs. With two wickets apiece from Zeeshan Maqsood and one each from Sompal Kami and Nandan Yadav, Chitwan was unable to take advantage of their middle-order combination.  

In the second game of the day, the Lumbini Lions and Pokhara Avengers will square off at 1:15 PM.