In a thrilling eliminator match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Wednesday, Karnali Yaks emerged victorious, defeating Chitwan Rhinos by 21 runs at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. This win secured Karnali’s place in the qualifier, where they will now battle for a spot in the final, while the Rhinos’ tournament run came to an end.
Karnali’s Strong Total Sets the Tone
Karnali, who won the toss and opted to bat first, posted a competitive target of 176 runs. However, Chitwan’s bowlers initially made an impact with an early breakthrough. Sohail Tanvir struck in the very first over, sending Karnali opener Rit Gautam back to the pavilion for a duck. Despite the early setback, Jaykishan Kolsawala and Zeeshan Maqsood steadied the innings, adding 29 runs for the second wicket.
Kolsawala played a crucial role in the middle order, crafting a fluent 53 off 39 balls. His innings included six boundaries and two sixes, anchoring the Yaks’ total before he was dismissed in the 13th over. William Bosisto followed up with a composed 52 off 39 balls, also hitting three fours and two sixes, maintaining the pressure on the Rhinos’ bowlers.
But it was Chadwick Walton’s explosive late cameo that propelled Karnali to a commanding total. Walton smashed an unbeaten 46 off just 23 balls, which included four fours and three sixes, pushing Karnali’s total to a formidable 175/6 in their 20 overs.
Chitwan’s Bowling Effort Falls Short
Chitwan’s bowlers had a mixed performance in the chase. While Sohail Tanvir was the pick of the bunch, claiming 2 wickets for 24 runs, others like Ravi Bopara, Sharad Vesawkar, and Kushal Malla took one wicket each. Despite their efforts, Karnali’s aggressive middle order set a target that was always going to be tough to chase.
Chitwan’s Response: A Struggle to Build Partnerships
Chasing a target of 176, Chitwan Rhinos faced early setbacks as Sompal Kami claimed two crucial wickets during the powerplay, dismissing both Hassan Eisakhil and Bipin Rawal. Despite the early loss, Luc Benkenstein and Kushal Malla looked to rebuild, but neither could convert their starts into a match-winning knock. Benkenstein fell for 16, while Malla was dismissed for 21.
The task became even tougher when Ravi Bopara, who top-scored for Chitwan, could only manage 53 off 34 balls, despite his three fours and four sixes. Bopara’s spirited knock provided brief hope, but it wasn’t enough to see the team over the line.
Karnali’s Bowlers Seal the Win
Karnali’s bowlers, led by Zeeshan Maqsood, took control of the match, restricting Chitwan’s chase. Maqsood was exceptional, finishing with figures of 3/26, dismantling the middle order. Nandan Yadav and Sompal Kami also contributed with two wickets each, as Chitwan’s innings ended at 154/9 in their 20 overs, falling short by 21 runs.
With this victory, Karnali Yaks have secured a spot in the qualifier, while Chitwan Rhinos are eliminated from the tournament.
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