Chitwan Rhinos beat Biratnagar Kings by 8 runs in NPL

Chitwan Rhinos recorded an eight-run victory against Biratnagar Kings in the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Biratnagar won the toss and chose to bowl first, allowing Chitwan to set a competitive target in the opening match of the day. Chitwan registered 157 runs for the loss of three wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Opening batter Dawid Malan hit the first half-century of the tournament, scoring 70 runs off 50 delivery attempts, which featured five boundaries and five sixes. Malan built an opening stand of 58 runs with Dev Khanal, who added 12 runs before departing. Unbeaten contributions from Ravi Bopara, who scored 32 runs, and Dan Mousley, with 29 runs, helped push Chitwan to set a target of 158 runs for Biratnagar. Chasing a target of 158, Biratnagar Kings struggled to maintain steady partnerships and lost wickets at regular intervals. Charith Asalanka was dismissed for eight runs off the bowling of Dan Mousley as Biratnagar fell behind in the middle overs. Imran Sheikh provided resistance with 39 runs, while Andre Russell struck four sixes and one boundary in a quickfire 33 runs from 17 balls. The bowling lineup of Chitwan Rhinos restricted Biratnagar to 149 runs, dismissing them in 19.3 overs. Rijan Dhakal was the primary wicket-taker for Chitwan with two dismissals, while Tom Taylor, Dan Mousley, Mausam Dhakal, and Ranjit Kumar claimed one wicket each to secure the narrow win.