Goldens defeat United

Dhangadhi, February 13

Kathmandu Goldens registered their second straight victory, while defending champions Dhangadhi Stars faced early elimination following their third consecutive defeat in the Ruslan Dhangadhi Premier League today.

Goldens edged past Mahendranagar United by seven runs at the proposed Fapla International Stadium in the day’s first match. Batting first, Goldens posted 134-5 in their allotted 20 overs before restricting United to 127-8.

Indian recruit Ankit Dabas was the star of the match after he top scored for the Goldens with 55-ball 65 not out that included five boundaries and three sixes.

The Kings were struggling at 58-5 in 13 overs before Dabas and Yogendra Singh Karki took anchored the innings with 76- run stand for the unbroken sixth wicket. Karki remained unbeaten on 22 off 14 balls hitting one each four and six. Dabas was named the man of the match for the second straight game.

Amar Singh Routela took 2-26 for the United, while Mohammad Naveed, Abinash Bohara and Saurav Dhakal claimed one wicket each.

In reply, the United struggled from the start and lost wickets at regular interval. Siddhant Lohani and Amar Singh Routela added 37 runs for the eighth wicket but that was not enough for United from losing their second straight match. Routela top scored for the team with 28 off 27 balls hitting two fours, while skipper Sharad Vesawkar (23), Aarif Sheikh (18) and S Anand (15) got starts but failed to convert them into big knocks.

Rashaid Khan was the pick of the Goldens bowlers taking 3-17, while Dabas claimed 2-28.

Nandan Kumar Yadav, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi and Yogendra Singh Karki pocketed one wicket each.

In another match, Biratnagar Kings defeated Dhangadhi Stars by 21 runs in a low-scoring encounter.

The Kings posted 103-9 in 20 overs before the Stars were packed for 82 runs with six balls to spare.

Avinash Yadav top scored for Kings with 27 off 29 balls hitting to fours, while skipper Karan KC struck a boundary and two sixes in his 22-ball 21. Aasif Sheikh (12) and Samsad Sheikh (11) were the other two batsmen who scored in double figures.

Stars skipper Sompal Kami (3- 8) and Bipin Khatri (3-19) shared six wickets between them, while Robeen Chhetri took 2-3 from one over and Sunil Dhamala got a wicket from his two-ball spell.

In reply, the Stars batsmen squandered the opportunity to register their first victory.

Sandeep Rajali scored 34 off 36 balls hitting four boundaries and Raju Rijal contributed 15, while others failed to reach double-figure mark.

Man-of-the-match Karan KC returned with the figures of 4-24, while Avinash Yadav took 4-10.

Susan Bhari claimed 2-20.

After the day’s results, Rupandehi Challengers and Kathmandu Goldens are at the top with four points each, while CYC Attariya and Biratnagar Kings have two points apiece. Mahendranagar United and Dhangadhi Stars are yet to open their accounts.

The third edition of the DPL is being organised by Dhangadhi Cricket Academy under the sponsorship of Jawalakhel Group of Industries.