KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 26
Chitwan Tigers defeated Biratnagar Warriors by two wickets, while Pokhara Rhinos and Bhairahawa Gladiators shared points after rain stopped their match midway in the first innings of the Bajaj Pulsar Everest Premier League here today.
The Rhinos were struggling at 65-7 in 10.1 overs before rain washed out the match.
The Gladiators bowlers, led by Durgesh Gupta (3-16) dominated the show reducing the Rhinos to 12-5 in four overs before the Pokhara-based team crippled to 65-7 in 10 overs. But rain saved the day for the Rhinos as no further play was possible and the two sides shared one point each.
In another match, the Warriors recovered from 73-6 to post a fighting total of 151-9 in their allotted 20 overs before the Tigers reached the target in the last ball of the innings.
Rajesh Pulami Magar hit the winning boundary off the final ball as the Tigers finished on 155-8. Magar top scored with 43 off 39 balls that included two each fours and sixes.
Bhim Sharki struck five boundaries and a six in his fiery 11-ball 30, while Dilip Nath contributed 23 off 21 balls hitting a four and two sixes. Karim Janat hit one each four and six in his 18-ball 19 and opener Ishan Pandey scored seven-ball 10 hitting one each boundary and six.
The Tigers were nicely cruising at 141-5 with three overs remaining but they made it difficult for themselves losing quick wickets and had to wait until the last ball to complete the victory. Sikandar Raza and skipper Karan KC took two wickets each for the warriors.
Earlier, Tigers bowlers reduced the Warriors to 9-3 inside two overs. Tigers skipper Sompal Kami struck twice in the second and sixth balls of the innings and Kamal Airee knocked the stumps of opener Chandrapaul Hemraj in the second over.
Sikandar Raza fought the lonely battle for the Warriors scoring 67 off just 47 balls with the help of two boundaries and seven sixes. Anil Sah scored 31-ball 31 hitting three fours and a six, while Saurav Khanal struck three boundaries and two sixes in his 19-ball 30. Other batsmen failed to contribute in double figures.
Player of the match Kamal Airee, skipper Sompal Kami, Karim Janat and Sagar Dhakal took two wickets each for the Tigers, while Shahab Alam pocketed one. On Monday, Kathmandu Kings XI will play against the Warriors, while the Tigers face the Warriors. The Kings had defeated defending champions Lalitpur Patriots by seven wickets in the opening match on Saturday.
A version of this article appears in the print on September 27 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
