Karnali Yaks down Chitwan Rhinos by 24 runs in NPL 2026 encounter

KIRTIPUR, KATHMANDU — The Karnali Yaks put on a dominant all-round display to secure a 24-run victory against the Chitwan Rhinos in the 27th match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 3, held today at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. The victory is a significant boost for the Yaks as they look to build momentum in the latter stages of the tournament.

The match began with Karnali Yaks winning the toss and electing to bat first. They posted a competitive total, putting pressure on the Chitwan Rhinos’ bowling attack. While the Rhinos fought back in phases, they struggled to fully contain Karnali’s scoring rate.

Hussain Talat Stars with the Ball

Chasing the target, the Chitwan Rhinos found themselves consistently behind the asking rate. The Karnali bowling attack, spearheaded by Pakistani all-rounder Hussain Talat, kept things incredibly tight.

Talat was the standout performer of the day, earning the Player of the Match award for his brilliant spell. He tore through the Rhinos’ batting lineup, claiming 3 crucial wickets while conceding just 17 runs in his 3 overs. Scottish spinner Mark Watt provided excellent support, picking up 2 wickets for 34 runs in his four-over quota. Bipin Sharma was also highly economical, keeping the pressure on the Chitwan batters without conceding a boundary for long stretches.

Despite some lower-order resistance from Usama Mir and Ashok Dhami, the Chitwan Rhinos were ultimately restricted, falling 24 runs short of the target.