NPL: Chitwan Rhinos defeat Kathmandu Gurkhas by five wickets

Kathmandu, December 2 — Chitwan Rhinos emerged victorious in the first match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) cricket tournament played on Monday. The match, held at the international cricket ground in Kirtipur, saw Chitwan Rhinos defeat Kathmandu Gurkhas by five wickets.

Both Chitwan Rhinos and Kathmandu Gurkhas played their first match in the ongoing tournament. After losing the toss, Kathmandu Gurkhas were invited to bat first, scoring 111 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

In reply, Chitwan Rhinos chased down the target, scoring 114 runs for the loss of five wickets in 17.1 overs. Santosh Karki, batting at number six, contributed an unbeaten 28 runs. He faced 31 balls, hitting one six and two fours.

Experienced batsman Sharad Vesawkar, coming in at number seven, added 11 runs from 21 balls. Luc Benkenstein also contributed 22 runs, hitting two sixes and one four in 17 balls. Opener Hassan Eishakhil scored 12 runs, while Captain Kushal Malla made 11 runs before being dismissed. Opener Deepak Bohara made 7 runs, and Ravi Bopara also scored 11 runs before being out.

Chitwan Rhinos also received 12 extras. For Kathmandu Gurkhas, bowler Shahab Alam took three wickets, conceding only 20 runs in four overs. Gerhard Erasmus and Dan Douthwaite took one wicket each.

Earlier, Kathmandu Gurkhas' batsmen struggled to perform. Opener Michael Levitt contributed 25 runs, facing 16 balls with one six and four fours.

Sumit Maharjan at number three made 29 runs from 41 balls, hitting one four. Dan Douthwaite remained unbeaten on 19 runs from 18 balls, including two fours. Shankar Rana made 16 runs from 17 balls with one six and one four.

Other Kathmandu batsmen failed to score in double digits, and they also received 8 extras. Dipesh Kandel remained unbeaten on 1.

Chitwan Rhinos' Pakistan fast bowler Sohail Tanvir was the standout performer, taking five wickets. The 39-year-old left-arm bowler bowled four overs, giving away only 21 runs and dismissing Stephen Eskinazi (2 runs), Michael Levitt, Bhim Sarki (1 run), captain Karan KC (1 run), and Shahab Alam (0 runs).

Chitwan Rhinos' bowlers, including Rijan Dhakal, Kushal Malla, Amarsingh Rautela, and Luc Benkenstein, each took one wicket. Luc Benkenstein, a 20-year-old former England U-19 player, is the son of former South African international cricketer Dale Benkenstein.

In the second match of the NPL, Janakpur Royals will face Karnali Yaks. Janakpur Royals, under the captaincy of Anil Kumar Sah, won their opening match against Biratnagar Kings by eight wickets.

The NPL, organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), is being held with eight teams participating and will continue until December 21.