Karnali Yaks beat Chitwan Rhinos, enter qualifiers

KATHMANDU: Karnali Yaks defeated Chitwan Rhinos by 21 runs in the eliminator game played at the TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur on Wednesday.

With this, Karnali reached the second qualifier of Nepal Premier League (NPL) T20 Cricket Tournament.

Karnali on Thursday will play against the team losing in the first qualifier match which is taking place today itself, to secure a place in the final. Janakpur Bolts and Sudurpaschim Royals will be in fray in the first qualifier game. The team winning the first qualifier will enter the finals of the NPL.

Chasing a 176-run target posted by Karnali Yaks, Chitwan Rhinos were limited to 154 runs in the allotted 20 overs at the loss of nine wickets.

Ravi Bopara top scored 53 runs with the help of four sixes and three boundaries in 34 balls for Chitwan while captain Kushal Malla hit 21 runs and Bipin Rawal 18 runs, Luc Benkestein 16 runs and Sharad Bheswakar 10 runs. Except them, no other player could score in the double digits for Chitwan.

Towards bowling, Zeeshan Maqsood took three wickets while Sompal Kami and Nandan Yadav took two wickets each while Bipin Sharma took one wicket for Karnali Yaks.

Invited to bat first after losing the toss, Karnali Yaks scored 175 runs in the allotted 20 overs at the loss of six wickets. Jaykishan Kolsawala scored the highest 53 runs with the help of six fours and two sixes in 39 balls for Karnali. Similarly, William Bosisto made 52 runs, Chadwick Walton undefeated 46 runs and Zeeshan Maqsood 14 runs for Karnali.

Sohail Tanvir took two wickets while Sharad Vesawkar, Kushal Malla and Ravi Bopara took one wicket each for Chitwan Rhinos.

Karnali Yaks had beaten Chitwan Rhinos in the league stage match before this also.