Cricket Kitchen

NPL: Chitwan Rhinos Win with Bopara’s Half-Century

November 18, 2025

Kathmandu – In the second match of the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), Chitwan Rhinos emerged victorious with the help of Ravi Bopara’s half-century. Chitwan defeated Karnali Yaks by four wickets.

In the match being played at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Karnali, invited to bat first after losing the toss, scored 166 runs for the loss of three wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Chitwan successfully chased the target of 167 runs with five balls to spare, losing six wickets.

For Chitwan, Ravi Bopara scored the highest—52 runs, hitting three fours and three sixes off 36 balls. Similarly, Dipak Bohora contributed 42 runs off 36 balls with six fours and one six. Saif Zaib scored 38 runs off 16 balls with two fours and four sixes, while captain Kushal Malla added 20 runs off 15 balls, hitting two sixes.

In bowling for Karnali Yaks, captain Sompal Kami took two wickets, while Unish Singh, Mark Watt, and Yuvaraj Khatri took one wicket each.

Earlier, for Karnali Yaks, opener Priyank Panchal scored the highest—90 runs, missing a century by just 10 runs. Making his NPL debut, Panchal hit seven fours and six sixes off 48 balls. He became the second player to score a half-century in this edition.

Likewise, Max O’Dowd scored 20 runs off 30 balls with one four. Mark Watt contributed 16 runs off 21 balls with one four, Pawan Sarraf remained unbeaten on 27, and Najibullah Zadran remained not out on 4.

For Chitwan Rhinos, Sohail Tanvir, Saif Zaib, and Ravi Bopara took one wicket each. The second match of the day will be played between Biratnagar Kings and Pokhara Avengers at 4 PM.