Chitwan Rhinos end Biratnagar’s winning streak in style

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Nov. 27: Chitwan Rhinos halted Biratnagar Kings’ three-match winning run with a dominant 48‑run win in the Nepal Premier League 2025 on Wednesday.

The defeat denied Biratnagar the chance to top the NPL table, while Chitwan climbed one place to fifth with four points. Sudur Paschim Royals lead the standings with six points, with Biratnagar level on points but behind on net run rate. Chitwan are now tied with Kathmandu Gorkhas, who sit third.

Put in to bat first at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Chitwan posted a competitive 174 for five in 20 overs, thanks to a half‑century from English batter Ravi Bopara.

In reply, Biratnagar collapsed to 126 all out in 16.5 overs, undone by the spin of Ranjit Kumar. The U19 player from Madhesh Province produced a superb five‑wicket haul to spearhead Chitwan’s attack.

Medium pacers Kamal Airee and Sohail Tanvir removed openers Lokesh Bam (7) and George Musey (4) inside three overs before Ranjit tore through the middle order. 

He trapped Sam Heazlett (22 off 11) leg before in the fifth over, then had Basir Ahamad caught by Kushal Malla for a duck. Naren Bhatt (4) was caught by skipper Malla in the seventh over, while Narayan Joshi fell in the 11th. 

Ranjit then dismissed Surya Tamang for a duck the very next ball, finishing with figures of 5‑21 and earning Player of the Match honours.

Biratnagar’s innings crumbled like a house of cards. Shubham Ranjane (6) was bowled by Saif Zaib, leaving them reeling at 64‑8 in the 13th over. South African Marchant de Lange offered resistance with a lower‑order cameo of 39 off 22 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes, before Airee bowled him in the 15th over. 

Tail‑ender Pratis GC struck three sixes and a four in a lively 30 off 12 balls, but was dismissed by Malla in the 17th over to end Biratnagar’s hopes.

Earlier, Chitwan lost opener Dipak Bohara cheaply for 5, while fellow opener David Malan made 17 off 9.

Dev Khanal finally found form in his third match, scoring 28 off 22 with three boundaries and a six, adding 42 for the third wicket with Zaib. 

Zaib contributed 32 off 30 balls before combining with Bopara for a 49‑run stand. Bopara, after surviving an early catch on 4, anchored the innings with his third fifty of NPL‑2, blasting 68 off 38 balls with three fours and four sixes.

For Biratnagar, de Lange and Sandeep Lamichhane picked up two wickets apiece. 

Leader Sudur Paschim will look to extend their winning streak when they take on Lumbini Lions on first match on Thursday. Defending champions Janakpur Bolts will be looking for their first win against Pokhara Avengers in the second match.