Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Sudurpaschim Royals climbed to third in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) standings with a five-wicket win over Chitwan Rhinos at the TU International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Batting first in Match No. 11, Chitwan Rhinos scored 129 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 20 overs. In reply, Sudurpaschim scored 131 runs for the loss of five wickets, with 20 balls remaining.
Chitwan’s top order struggled as the Rhinos lost two wickets for 27 runs in 4.4 overs. Openers Dev Khanal (7) and Dawid Malan (16) fell cheaply, while No. 3 batter Arjun Saud was dismissed for 15. Ravi Bopara made 49 off 40 balls. Captain Sikandar Raza scored 15 off 20 balls, and Bibek Yadav contributed 17 off 15. Tom Taylor remained unbeaten on six.
Scott Kuggeleijn picked up two wickets for Sudurpaschim, while Hemant Dhami, Dipendra Singh Airee and Anil Kharel took one wicket each.
Although Sudurpaschim lost opener Saif Zaib (2) and Binod Bhandari (11) cheaply in the chase, Brandon McMullen played a superb knock of 43 off 21 balls to keep the two-time runners-up firmly in control. Ishan Pandey made 25 off 29 balls, while the unbeaten pair of Aarif Sheikh (20) and Sherfane Rutherford (21) saw the team home.
Ranjit Kumar claimed three wickets for Chitwan, while Rijan Dhakal and Mousam Dhakal took one wicket each.
Two matches will be played in the NPL on Tuesday. Biratnagar Kings will meet Janakpur Bolts in the first match at 12:30 p.m., while defending champions Lumbini Lions will take on Pokhara Avengers at 5 p.m.
