Captain Rohit Paudel led Lumbini Lions to their first-ever win in the Nepal Premier League (NPL), defeating Chitwan Rhinos by 33 runs. The thrilling encounter showcased some remarkable individual performances, with Rohit shining with both bat and ball, securing Lumbini’s first points after five matches.
Rohit’s All-Round Brilliance
Rohit Paudel’s all-round brilliance was the highlight of the match. He scored an impressive 80 runs off 57 balls, including 6 fours and 5 sixes, and followed it up with a remarkable 4 wickets for just 17 runs in 4 overs. His performance encapsulated the “captain leads from the front” mantra, guiding his team to victory and making a statement in the process.
Chasing the Target: Rhinos Fall Short
Chitwan Rhinos, chasing a target of 168, fell short, finishing their innings at 134/8 in 20 overs. Luke Benkenstein was the top scorer for the Rhinos, contributing 31 runs, but the middle-order struggles of players like captain Kushal Malla (20), Ravi Bopara (12), and Santosh Karki (10) hindered their chase.
Narbahadur Sharki fought back with a quick-fire 22 not out from 12 balls, supported by Rejion Dhakal’s 15 off 14 balls, but the required runs proved too much for the lower order.
Rohit’s Spin Magic Breaks the Rhinos’ Chase
Rohit’s part-time spin bowling proved decisive in breaking the back of the Chitwan batting order. He struck early by dismissing Bipin Rawal in his first over, and went on to take the crucial wickets of Sohail Tanvir, Ravi Bopara, and Jean Nico Lafite Eton, reducing Chitwan’s middle order to rubble.
Ramon Simmonds also had a solid outing with the ball, claiming 2 wickets for 15 runs in 3 overs, while Saad Bin Zafar and Abhishek Gautam picked up one wicket each.
Lumbini’s Innings: A Steady Foundation Built by Rohit and Saad
Earlier in the day, Lumbini Lions were put into bat and posted a total of 167/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Rohit and Saad Bin Zafar were the backbone of the innings, sharing a record-breaking 114-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Rohit came to the crease early after Lumbini lost two wickets quickly and anchored the innings with his composed knock of 80 runs. This was his second half-century in the NPL, after scoring 95 against Pokhara Avengers in an earlier match.
Saad provided excellent support, contributing a well-crafted 52 runs off 35 balls, which included 4 fours and a six. Arjun Saud and Tom Moores also chipped in with 15 and 10 runs, respectively.
Rhinos’ Bowling Efforts
For Chitwan, the standout bowler was Rejion Dhakal, who claimed 3 wickets for 29 runs in 4 overs, keeping the Lumbini batsmen in check during the middle overs. Captain Kushal Malla and Ranjit Kumar also took one wicket each, but their efforts weren’t enough to stop Lumbini from posting a competitive total.
Conclusion: A Historic Win for Lumbini Lions
This victory is a historic moment for Lumbini Lions, marking their first win in the NPL. With Rohit Paudel leading from the front, the team now has the momentum to build on as they continue their campaign. For Chitwan Rhinos, it was a tough loss, but they will look to bounce back stronger in their upcoming matches.
You may also like:
Here is the list of players selected in Category A for the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2024, where the bidding Read more
The Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2024 auction will feature a total of 142 players. These players will be available for Read more
A total of 163 players participated in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2024 auction. Below is the complete list of Read more
Here’s the full squad for Biratnagar Kings in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2024, after the auction: Marquee Player: Sandeep Read more