In a thrilling encounter at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Monday, the Chitwan Rhinos delivered a commanding performance to secure a five-wicket victory over the Kathmandu Gurkhas in the second match of the Nepal Premier League.
Chitwan’s Perfect Start with the Ball
Chitwan won the toss and opted to field, a decision that turned out to be a masterstroke. Sohail Tanvir, the Pakistani pacer, was the standout performer with the ball, taking an incredible 5-21 in his four overs. Tanvir ripped through Kathmandu’s top order, leaving the Gurkhas in deep trouble early on. His efforts were complemented by fine support from Rijan Dhakal, Kushal Malla, Amar Routela, and Luc Benkenstein, who all contributed with a wicket apiece. The tight bowling attack ensured that Kathmandu’s batsmen never gained any real momentum throughout the innings.
Kathmandu struggled to find their rhythm, eventually posting a meager total of 111-9 in their allotted 20 overs. Michael Levitt was the only batter who showed some fight, scoring a brisk 25 off 16 balls, which included four boundaries and a six. Sumit Maharjan also fought hard for his 29 off 41 balls but was unable to get enough support from the rest of the batting line-up. With a run rate of just 5.55, the Gurkhas were always on the back foot.
Chitwan’s Run Chase Faces Early Hiccups
Chasing a target of just 112, Chitwan’s innings began shakily. The opening pair of Deepak Bohara (7) and Hassan Eisakhil (12) both fell early, dismissed by Shahab Alam, who returned impressive bowling figures of 3-20. The loss of two quick wickets raised some concerns for Chitwan, but Luc Benkenstein, who had earlier made an impact with the ball, contributed a valuable 22 off 17 balls before falling to Gerhard Erasmus.
The Rhinos were further jolted when their captain, Kushal Malla, was dismissed for just 11, leaving the team at 52-4 and still needing 60 runs for victory. However, Santosh Karki (28 not out off 31) and Sharad Vesawkar (11 not out off 21) steadied the ship with a cautious and composed partnership. Their efforts saw Chitwan cross the finish line in 17.1 overs, securing the win by five wickets.
A Well-Rounded Team Performance
This win for Chitwan Rhinos was a true team effort. While Sohail Tanvir’s brilliant spell with the ball stole the show, the contribution from the entire bowling attack, as well as the calm finishing partnership between Karki and Vesawkar, ensured that they achieved their target with ease. For Kathmandu Gurkhas, despite a few individual performances, their inability to build partnerships and the clinical bowling from Chitwan ultimately led to their downfall.
The Rhinos’ win sets the tone for their campaign in the Nepal Premier League, and they will be looking to build on this momentum as the tournament progresses. As for Kathmandu, they will need to regroup and come up with a better performance in their upcoming matches if they are to make a mark in this year’s competition.
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