James Neesham smashes 18-ball half-century in NPL
KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 14
Chitwan Rhinos skipper Kushal Malla delivered a stellar all-round performance in a crucial fixture, securing a 32-run victory over Janakpur Bolts to keep their playoff hopes alive in the Siddhartha Bank Nepal Premier League.
Malla was later named Player of the Match for his exceptional all-round performance, scoring a blistering 72 off 41 balls, featuring three boundaries and seven towering sixes, and delivering an impressive bowling spell of 2/26 in four overs.
Chitwan Rhinos needed a victory today to give themselves any chances of making to playoffs after loosing two games consecutively. With Chitwan Rhinos' victory, Pokhara Avengers and Biratnagar are eliminated from playoff contention.
Winning the toss, Rhinos skipper decided to bat first without any hesitations, before posting a challenging total of 180/5 in their alloted 20 overs.
Chitwan Rhinos got off to a flying start, Hassan Eisakhil played a whirlwind knock of 28 off 19 balls, smashing four boundaries and a six, before departing with the team at 55/3 in the eighth over.
Skipper Kushal Malla and Ravi Bopara forged a crucial 113-run partnership for the fourth wicket, steering their team toward a competitive total against the formidable Janakpur Bolts in front of a packed crowd at the TU Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur.
Malla was handed a lifeline shortly after reaching his half-century when Aasif Sheikh dropped him at mid-wicket while attempting to dispatch James Neesham's short-pitched delivery out of the park.
Capitalizing on the missed opportunity,skipper Malla unleashed a display of power-hitting, smashing seven towering sixes. However, his innings came to an end when he mistimed a full toss from Neesham, finding the safe hands of Janakpur Bolts skipper Anil Sah. Ravi Bopara contributed a vital 44 off 32 balls, including five boundaries and a six.
Lalit Rajbanshi was the standout bowler for the Bolts, delivering an exceptional spell of 4-2-11-2. Similarly, Harsh Thaker, Mohammad Mohsin, and James Neesham chipped in with a wicket apiece.
In reply, Janakpur Bolts faltered at the start of their chase for a formidable target, losing their in-form skipper and opener, Anil Sah, cheaply for just 8 runs. By the ninth over, they were struggling at 66/5, staring at a steep uphill task.
James Neesham smashes fastest NPL half-century
The game took a dramatic turn with the arrival of James Neesham, who single-handedly shifted the momentum. Neesham unleashed a blistering assault, smashing fours and sixes at will to register a record-breaking 18-ball half-century, eclipsing the previous NPL mark of 23 balls set by Dipendra Singh Airee of Sudurpaschim Royals.
His ferocious knock, studded with four boundaries and five towering sixes, reignited Janakpur's hopes of an improbable chase.
Neesham's dominance left Rhinos' bowlers scrambling as he dispatched deliveries to every corner of the park. In a pivotal moment, he was caught at long-on by Amar Routela off Sohail Tanvir, but the dismissal was overturned when Tanvir was found to have overstepped, conceding a no-ball.
On the ensuing free hit, Neesham hammered another six, adding to his fireworks. However, Tanvir responded with composure, delivering a decisive blow by dismissing Neesham shortly after. Neesham was caught at point by Rijan Dhakal, leaving the Bolts reeling despite his heroics.
From that point on, it was a one-sided affair as the Rhinos swiftly claimed the remaining three wickets, conceding just 10 more runs. They bowled out their opponents with a commanding 32-run victory, wrapping up the match with two overs to spare.
Aasif Sheikh contributed 23 runs off 26 balls, including four boundaries, while Shubha Kansakar and Mohammad Mohsin added 15 and 13 runs, respectively.
Rijan Dhakal spearheaded the bowling attack for the Rhinos, claiming two wickets, while Sohail Tanvir and Kushal Malla each took two wickets. Amar Routela also made a valuable contribution with a wicket.
With this victory, the Rhinos have ascended to third place, surpassing Karnali Yaks and Kathmandu Gurkhas on net run rate, both of whom have eight points but still have a game in hand.
Earlier in the day,
Kathmandu Gurkhas defeated Pokhara Avengers by six wickets, keeping their playoff hopes alive. After winning the toss, the Gurkhas opted to field first and restricted the Avengers to 138/8 in 20 overs.
Raymon Reifer was the top scorer for the Avengers, making 41 off 30 balls, which included one boundary and three sixes. Dinesh Kharel contributed 38 runs, with six fours and a six, while Dillip Nath added 27 runs.
Skipper Karan KC and Rashi Khan were instrumental in restricting the Avengers, sharing six wickets between them. Gerhard Erasmus and Michael Levitt also claimed a wicket each.
In response, Kathmandu Gurkhas got off to a strong start, with the opening partnership adding 58 runs before Michael Levitt was dismissed for 32 off 18 balls, including six boundaries and a six.
Man-of-the-Match Stephen Eskinazi then played a brilliant knock, scoring 60 runs off 34 balls, with ten boundaries, to put his team in a commanding position before being bowled out by Bipin Khatri in the 12.1 over.
Gerhard Erasmus remained unbeaten on 25, guiding his team to victory with the loss of just four wickets in 15 overs, putting the Gurkhas in an excellent position to secure a playoff spot.
Bipin Khatri was the standout bowler for Pokhara Avengers, delivering a brilliant spell of 3-0-19-3. Michael Leask also claimed a wicket in the losing effort.
Brian Lara graces NPL:
Legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Charles Lara attended the opening match, where he was seen providing commentary alongside Darren Gough and Andrew Leonard.
Lara mentioned that Nepal had always been on his bucket list, despite being an associate nation. He also took a stroll around the ground, waving to fans at the packed TU Cricket Ground this afternoon.
Lara, who arrived yesterday with his daughter, will stay in Nepal for three days. He plans to visit Everest Base Camp by helicopter and hopes to enjoy breakfast there before departing, leaving with unforgettable memories, he said.
In tomorrow's fixture:
Biratnagar Kings will take on Kathmandu Gurkhas in the first game, while Pokhara Avengers will face Sudur Paschim Royals in the day's second match.