KATHMANDU – Lumbini Lions has defeated Chitwan Rhinos by 33 runs in today’s first match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) held at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground at Kirtipur.
The ‘all-round’ performance by Captain Rohit Paudel contributed to the Lumbini Lions’ win. Chitwan, which was chasing a 168-run victory target posted by Lumbini, could score only 134 runs at the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
Luc Benkenstein scored the highest 31 runs for Chitwan. Similarly, skipper Kushal Malla hit 20 runs with the help of one boundary and one six in 17 balls while Ravi Bopara made12 runs in 16 balls. Captain Paudel took four wickets, Ramon Simmonds two wickets, and Saad Bin Zafar and Abhisesh Gautam took one wicket each for Lumbini.
Invited to bat first after losing the toss before this, Lumbini scored 167 runs in the 20 overs, losing six wickets. Captain Paudel scored the highest 80 runs for Lumbini. He hit six fours and five sixes in 68 balls.
Similarly, Zafar made unbeaten 52 runs with the help of four boundaries and one six in 35 balls while Arjun Saud scored 15 runs and Tom Moores made 10 runs for Lumbini.
For Chitwan, Rijan Dhakal took three wickets while captain Kushal Malla and Ranjit Kumar took one wicket each. With this, Lumbini which has secured its first score has climbed to the fifth place. In the matches before this, Lumbini was defeated by Biratnagar Kings, Pokhara Avengers, Sudurpaschim Royals and Janakpur Bolts.
Chitwan is in the third place with three wins and two defeats in five matches it has played so far. Janakpur Bolts is in the top place of the score board with victory in all matches it has played so far. Pokhara Avengers will take on Karnali Yaks in today’s second match.
