NPL: Sudurpashchim beat Chitwan by 5 wickets for second win

Sudurpashchim Royals defeated Chitwan Rhinos by 5 wickets in the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). The match, played on Monday at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, gave Sudurpashchim their second win of the tournament.

Chitwan, who lost the toss and batted first, scored 129 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their 20 overs. After losing 2 wickets for 27 runs, Ravi Bopara and David Malan put on a 35-run stand for the third wicket. Bopara then added 32 runs with captain Sikandar Raza for the fourth wicket. Bopara was out while going for a big shot when just 1 run short of his half-century.

Chasing a target of 130, Sudurpashchim lost opener Saif Zaib early. The side came under some pressure when Brandon McMullen and captain Dipendra Singh Airee were both dismissed off the bowling of Ranjit Kumar.

For Sudurpashchim, McMullen top-scored with 43 runs off 21 balls, including 6 fours and 2 sixes. Ishan Pandey added 25 runs off 29 balls, including 2 fours. Sudurpashchim eventually reached the target with 5 wickets in hand.