MATCH RECAP
Follow UsAfter the loss against Karnali Yaks, Chitwan Rhinos returned to the winning ways in the big clash against an in-form Sudarpaschim Royals on December 8. It was purely on the back of a stellar 52-ball 65 from Hassan Eisakhil and a sizzling bowling display from skipper Kushal Malla (2/18).
Here’s how the entire match panned out:
Hassan Eisakhil is back among the runs
Back to the setup, back among the runs, 18-year-old Hassan Eisakhil ran the show for Chitwan Rhinos in their clash against Sudarpaschim Royals. The Afghani opener smashed a 52-ball 65, a knock with nine boundaries, including three sixes. Eisakhil took the aggressive route in the middle overs, smashing the spinners, which helped the Rhinos.
Kushal Malla struggling for consistency
When the Rhinos made Kushal Malla their skipper, they would have expected the 20-year-old to be their shining light in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2024. However, the left-handed batter has struggled for consistency in the tournament thus far. He had the perfect opportunity to make a difference while batting with Eisakhil, but he could only make 13 off 16.
Ravi Bopara’s late flourish massive for Rhinos
At 106/3 and just five overs remaining, it felt like a familiar tale would unfurl for the Rhinos after posting a below-par total against the Karnali Yaks. But that’s where the 39-year-old Bopara came out smashing, with an 18-ball 36, a knock where he looked near unstoppable.
Whilst he might not have scored another half-century, Bopara’s 36 took the Rhinos to 164, their highest total in the competition (thus far).
Malla applies brakes with the ball
While he might not have had any impact with the bat, at 44/1, the left-arm spinner played a vital role in the Rhinos’ impressive win. In just one over, the 20-year-old Malla accounted for both Binod Bhandari and Brendon McMullen, which then triggered a mini-collapse for the Royals.
From 44/1 to 45/3 and later 105/8, if not for that double-wicket over, the result might have been different.
Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Amar Routela end all hopes for Royals
When Dilpreet Bajwa and Ishan Pandey were at the crease, it felt like the Royals were just one partnership away from making a steady comeback in the run chase. But even before that partnership could tee off, Loftie-Eaton’s leg-spinners came crushing for the Royals, with figures of 2/18.
Routela, from the other end, had an extraordinary one-over stint, picking up two wickets and ending all the remaining hopes for the Royals.
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