Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Sudurpashchim Royals tasted its first defeat in the Nepal Premier League as it was outplayed by Chitwan Rhinos at the TU Cricket Grounds in Kathmandu on Sunday.
Batting first, Chitwan Rhinos posted 164 runs for the loss of five wickets, inspired by Hassan Eisakhil’s half-century. In reply, Sudurpashchim folded for 131 runs in 18.2 overs.
Although Chitwan lost opener Santosh Karki for just nine runs, Hassan Eisakhil batted through the 16th over and played a magnificent knock of 65 off 22 balls. Ravi Bopara scored a quickfire 36 off 18 balls, while Bipin Rawal and Kushal Malla contributed 17 and 13 runs, respectively.
Scott Kuggeleijn took two wickets for Sudurpashchim, while Brandon McMullen, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Saif Zaib took a wicket each.
Chasing 164 to continue its unbeaten run in the NPL, Sudurpashchim batters got starts but failed to convert them into big scores. Openers Saif Zaib and Binod Bhandari scored 18 and 10, while Brandon McMullen and Dilpreet Bajwa contributed 13 and 12, respectively. Ishan Pandey top-scored for Sudurpashchim with a 28-ball 35, while Kuggeleijn and Naren Saud scored 16 and 10, respectively.
Amar Rautela, Rijan Dhakal, Kushal Malla, and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton took two wickets each for Chitwan, while Sohail Tanvir and Ranjit Kumar claimed a wicket each.
With the victory, Chitwan climbed to third in the NPL standings with three wins and a loss.
In the first match of the day, Janakpur Bolts continued its unbeaten run, defeating Lumbini Lions by one run. The fourth loss in as many games has weakened Lumbini’s chances of making it into the playoffs.
