Chitwan Tigers thrash Pokhara Rhinos to claim EPL title

KATHMANDU: Chitwan Tigers thrashed Pokhara Rhinos by four wickets to claim the title of the fourth edition of Everest Premier League, the biggest domestic tournament of Nepali cricket.

In the match played at the TU Ground in Kirtipur on Saturday, Chitwan Tigers won the toss and invited Pokhara Rhinos to bat first. Pokhara Rhinos scored 111 runs in 17. 5 overs losing all the wickets.

Chitwan Tigers reached the target of 112 runs in 15.5 overs losing six wickets.  Bhim Sarki scored a half century for Chitwan. He contributed 63 runs off 41 balls hitting seven boundaries and two sixes.

Similarly, Dilip Nath scored 18 runs, Rajesh Pulami made 14 runs and Mohammad Shahzad added 11 runs.

Kirshor Mahato of Pokhara claimed four wickets giving away 23 runs in 3.5 overs. Likewise, Nandan Yadav pocketed two wickets giving away 26 runs in four overs.

Pokhara made a good start with openers Richard Levi and Bipin Rawal sharing a 37-run off 21 balls in partnership.

Levi scored 26 runs off 15 balls hitting four boundaries and Rawal contributed 17 runs off 15 balls hitting one four and one six.

Similarly, Asela Gunaratne returned to pavilion by scoring 34 runs off 24 balls and skipper Binod Bhandari scored 22 runs off 26 balls with two fours.

Meanwhile, Kamal Singh Aire took four wickets giving away 20 runs in 3.5 overs for Chitwan. Similarly, Karim Janat and Seekkuge Prasanna claimed two wickets each and Captain Sompal Kami and Sagar Dhakal pocketed one wicket each.

Along with the title, Chitwan collected a cash purse of Rs 5 million and Pokhara earned Rs 1.5 million.

This is the largest amount ever received by the winner of any competition in the Nepali cricket.