EPL: Gladiators's Singh hits ton to floor Pokhara Rhinos

KATHMANDU: Bhairahawa Gladiator's foreign recruit Ravi Inder Singh struck a flamboyant 125 not out to trample Pokhara Rhinos by four wickets during Everest Premier League T20 Cricket Tournament at the TU Cricket Stadium today.

Although Rhinos smashed a mammoth total of 215/5 in their allotted 20 overs, it was not enough as Gladiator's Singh toyed Rhinos bowlers to score a blistering 125 not out off just 60 balls to take his team home. He hammered eight fours and ten towering sixes in unbelievable innings.

After winning the toss, Rhinos foreign recruits South African Richard Levi and skipper Coetzer combined for 104 runs partnership for the opening stand before Levi perished for 79 runs in the 8.2 overs. Levi struck seven sixes and seven fours. Coetzer contributed 47 runs off 37 balls with four fours and two sixes.

Gliadors's bowlers Avinash Bohara, Krishna Karki, Puneet Mehra and Dutch RN ten Doeschate chipped in with a wicket each.

In reply, Gladiators rode on Singh's century to canter to a four-wicket victory with two balls to spare in an enthralling encounter.

Gladiators made a disastrous start as they lost opener Harishankar Sah for a golden nought and were reeling at 71-4 after losing skipper Sarad Vesawkar cheaply for six runs.

However, Singh and lower order batsman Puneet Mehra shared unbroken 44 runs as the latter's played a late blitz of 18 runs off just nine deliveries including two towering sixes.

Paul Coughlin, Sushan Bhari and Bikram Sob took two wickets each in the losing cause. Gladiators Singh was adjudged man of the match for his scintillating innings.

In another match of the day, Lalitpur Patriots beat Chitwan Tigers by 11 runs at the same stadium.

Patriots managed to muster a decent 143/5 in their innings before restricting Tigers 11 runs short of their target.

Middle-order batsman Sonu Tamang top-scored for Patriots with 35 runs off 24 balls including four and three sixes. George Scott was the pick of the Tigers bowlers with two wickets.

In reply, Tigers lost openers for cheaply, at one stage, they were reeling at 16/3 before Dipendra Singh Airee anchored the run chase with his 41 runs, but to no avail.

Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane was the chief tormentor as he took three Tigers wickets to peg them back in pursuit of 144 runs.

Lamichhane was pick of the bowler with 4-0-26-3. He was declared man of the match.

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