Chitwan Rhinos suffered their first defeat of Nepal Premier League as Karnali Yaks registered their maiden win on Friday at the TU International Cricket Ground. The toss played a decisive role in the morning conditions, with Karnali opting to field first and capitalizing on the movement on offer.
Chitwan’s top order crumbled early, losing three wickets inside the powerplay to be reduced to 28/3, their poorest start in the competition so far. Karnali’s bowlers, vastly improved from their previous outings, maintained discipline and sharpness in the field to restrict the Rhinos to a modest 130. Chitwan made a notable change in their XI, bringing in Namibian all-rounder Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton in place of Hassan Eisakhil.
Ravi Bopara Leads the Rescue Act
After a shaky start, captain Kushal Malla and Ravi Bopara steadied the ship with a 59-run partnership for the fourth wicket. This marked their second consecutive fifty-run stand in the tournament. Malla’s attempt to accelerate ended in a catch at long-off off Zeeshan Maqsood’s bowling.
Ravi Bopara stood firm, scoring an unbeaten 59 off 40 balls, laced with seven boundaries and a six. However, Chitwan’s decision to hold back Santosh Karki cost them dearly, as the final three overs yielded just 30 runs, leaving them short of a par total.
Bipin Sharma Stars for Karnali
Bipin Sharma, a local talent hunt pick, delivered a match-winning performance with the ball. His spell of 4-0-21-3 included the scalps of Loftie-Eaton, Sohail Tanveer, and Amar Routela, breaking Chitwan’s momentum at crucial junctures. Zeeshan Maqsood chipped in with two wickets, while Sompal Kami and Nandan Yadav took one each.
Shikhar Dhawan Anchors the Chase
Karnali’s chase began steadily, with Dev Khanal and Shikhar Dhawan putting on a 50-run opening stand. Khanal struggled to find a rhythm, scoring 25 off 34 balls before being trapped LBW by Kushal Malla. Chadwick Walton’s brisk 30 off 19, including two towering sixes off Benkenstein, gave the innings much-needed momentum.
Dhawan, playing what could be his second last game for the Yaks, held the chase together with a composed knock. However, his dismissal, caught and bowled by Loftie-Eaton off a contentious bump ball, nearly swung the game back in Chitwan’s favour.
Final-Over Drama
Requiring 11 runs off the last two overs, Sohail Tanveer bowled a brilliant 19th over, conceding just two runs. With nine needed off the final over, Karnali found themselves in a tight spot. A couple of misfields allowed easy doubles, and though Rijan Dhakal managed a crucial run-out, Zeeshan Maqsood kept his cool to seal the win with a boundary through covers, securing victory with a ball to spare.
Chitwan’s Bowling Effort
Chitwan’s bowlers put up a commendable fight while defending a modest total. Kushal Malla was the standout performer, delivering a tight spell of 4-0-13-1, showcasing his ability to stifle runs in the middle overs. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton made an immediate impact with the ball, taking the crucial wicket of Shikhar Dhawan to spark hopes of a comeback.
Ravi Bopara chipped in with a wicket as well, while Sohail Tanveer bowled a brilliant 19th over, conceding just two runs and dragging the match to the final over. Despite their efforts, Chitwan’s bowlers couldn’t completely cover for the batting unit’s underperformance.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
