Chitwan Rhinos Pull Off a Thrilling 8-Run Victory Over Star-Studded Biratnagar Kings

KIRTIPUR, KATHMANDU — The second match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 3 delivered an absolute nail-biter on Tuesday at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, as the Chitwan Rhinos held their nerve to defeat the Biratnagar Kings by 8 runs in a tense finish.

Despite a late fireworks display from West Indian powerhouse Andre Russell, the Biratnagar Kings ultimately fell just short of their 158-run target, finishing their innings all out for 149 in 19.3 overs.

Malan and Bopara Anchor Chitwan’s Innings

The match began with Biratnagar Kings’ captain, Sandeep Lamichhane, winning the toss and electing to field first. Chitwan Rhinos capitalized on the opportunity, posting a competitive 157/3 in their 20 overs.

The Rhinos’ innings was anchored by a spectacular half-century from English star Dawid Malan, who smashed 70 off just 50 deliveries, including five fours and five towering sixes. After Malan was dismissed in the 13th over, captain Ravi Bopara (32* off 26) and Dan Mousley (29* off 22) took charge, putting together a crucial unbeaten partnership to ensure a solid finish for Chitwan.

Biratnagar’s bowling attack had its moments, with Angelo Mathews (1/15 in 3 overs) and Charith Asalanka (1/18 in 3 overs) keeping things tight, but they struggled to break the Bopara-Mousley partnership in the death overs.

Russell’s Late Surge Not Enough for Biratnagar

Chasing 158, the Biratnagar Kings started aggressively. Openers Lokesh Bam (26 off 14) and Imran Sheikh (39 off 31) built a quick 40-run partnership before Bam fell in the fifth over. However, the Kings struggled to maintain momentum and found themselves at 114/4 when the explosive Andre Russell walked to the crease to join Angelo Mathews.

Russell immediately electrified the Kirtipur crowd, smashing 33 off just 17 balls, including four massive sixes. The game seemed to be tilting in Biratnagar’s favor, but the turning point came in the 16th over when Kamal Singh Airee managed to get Russell caught by Dev Khanal.

Kamal Singh Airee’s Match-Winning Spell

Airee was the undisputed star with the ball for Chitwan. He dismantled the Biratnagar lower-middle order, finishing with exceptional figures of 4 for 26 in his 4 overs.

The climax arrived in the final over, with Biratnagar needing 14 runs to win and Tom Taylor bowling the crucial death over. Shubham Ranjane struck a boundary off the first ball, raising hopes for a dramatic finish, but Taylor shattered his stumps on the third delivery, bowling Biratnagar out for 149 and sealing a dramatic 8-run victory for the Chitwan Rhinos.

The victory gives the Chitwan Rhinos a strong start to their NPL Season 3 campaign, proving that disciplined bowling can successfully defend a total against even the most formidable batting lineups.