Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Janakpur Bolts earned their first win of the 2025 Nepal Premier League (NPL), defeating Chitwan Rhinos by six wickets at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kathmandu on Tuesday.
Batting first after winning the toss, Chitwan scored 176 for the loss of four wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Janakpur chased down the target with six wickets and 15 balls remaining.
Chitwan made a bright start with the bat, scoring 112 for the first wicket in 13.4 overs. Dawid Malan top-scored for the Rhinos with a 54-ball 80, while Arjun Saud struck 52 off 39 balls. Chitwan’s lower order, however, failed to capitalize on the solid foundation provided by their openers. Saif Zaib (7) and Ravi Bopara (30) fell cheaply, before Captain Kushal Malla scored 14 off 20 balls to take Chitwan near 180.
Maaz Sadaqat, Anil Sah, Rupesh Singh and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton claimed a wicket each for Janakpur.
In reply, Janakpur added 45 runs for the first wicket. Although Aasif Sheikh (18) failed to convert into a big score, Sadaqat scored 63 off 30 balls and No. 3 batter Anil Sah struck 61 off 36 balls. Aaditya Mahata scored 18 off 7 to take Janakpur home with 15 balls remaining.
Sohail Tanvir, Kamal Airee and Amar Routela picked up a wicket each for Chitwan.
The win lifted Janakpur to seventh in the table with two points from five matches. They still hold a mathematical chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Chitwan, on the other hand, are fourth on the table with four points from five matches.
Karnali Yaks are taking on Pokhara Avengers in the second match of the day at 4 pm on Tuesday.
