Rhinos thrash Falcons; Titans record victory against Paltan

Kathmandu, October 18

Chitwan Rhinos and Biratnagar Titans registered their second consecutive victories in the Women’s Champions League, T20 cricket tournament, here at the Tribhuvan University Stadium today.

Rhinos thrashed Lalitpur Falcons by 89 runs, while Titans recorded a six-wicket victory over Pokhara Paltan. With victories, both teams accumulated four points with Titans leading the table on superior run rate. Kat Queens Kathmandu are third with two points, while Falcons and Paltan are yet to open their accounts.

In the day’s second match, Rhinos posted 135-3 in their allotted 20 overs before packing the Falcons for a paltry 46 runs with 17 balls to spare. Former national team skipper Ritu Kanaujiya starred for Rhinos, helping the team build two crucial partnerships on her way to scoring an unbeaten half century.

The Rhinos were reduced to 34-2 in seven overs before Kanaujiya took control over the match. She combined with skipper Indu Barma (10) to add 33 runs for the third wicket and shared a 68-run partnership with Pyari Chaudhary for the unbroken fourth wicket. Kanaujiya struck eight boundaries in her quick fire 58 not out off 55 balls, while Chaudhary remained unbeaten on 22 off 23 balls that included a four.

Falcons skipper Nary Thapa took 2-20 from four overs, while Karuna Bhandari grabbed a wicket.

In reply, the Falcons batters put up the disappointing show for the second straight match, with skipper Thapa being the lone player to score in double figures. Thapa struck one each four and six in her 20-ball 17. After losing openers Kriti Sen and Roshani Bohara with 10 runs on the board, the Falcons never recovered and the 12-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Thapa and Gita Gosai was the best stand of their innings.

Kabita Gautam was the pick of the Rhinos bowlers taking 3-13, while player-of-the-match Kanoujiya returned to claim 2-10. Rekha Rawal and Suman Khatiwada grabbed one wicket each.

In another match, Paltan posted 94-5 in 20 overs before the Titans raced to 95-4 with 30 balls to spare.

Kabita Kunwar top scored for Paltan with 22 off 23 balls hitting two fours, while skipper Sita Rana Magar was the next best contributor with 16 runs. Anjali Chand struck two fours in her 19-ball 15, while Rewati Dhami (12) and Saraswati Magar (10) also scored in double figures.

For Titans, Sabnam Rai took 2-8 from four overs, while Sonu Khadka bagged on wicket. The Titans fielders affected two run outs.

In reply, Laxmi Chaudhary top scored for Titans with 23 off 37 balls hitting two fours, while opener Jyoti Pandey struck four boundaries in her 16-ball 22. Asmina Karmacharya scored an unbeaten 16 off 21 balls that included two boundaries, while Dolly Bhatta scored run-a-ball 12 with the help of two fours.

Paltan skipper Sita Rana Magar took 2-17 from three overs, while Anuradha Chaudhary grabbed a wicket. Sabnam Rai of Titans was named the player of the match.