Rhinos outplay Blasters for 2nd win

POKHARA, Dec 20: The former United Arab Emirates captain, Rohan Mustafa, notched up an all-round performance against his former league franchise Butwal Blasters to help Chitwan Rhinos register a whopping 119-run win in Namaste Pokhara Premier League at the Pokhara Stadium’s cricket ground in Pokhara on Thursday. 

Mustafa picked up two wickets after staying unbeaten on 70 runs carrying his bat as Rhinos posted 203 runs for the loss of three wickets in 20 overs. Blasters were bundled-out for 84 runs in 18.4 overs.

Karan KC starred with the ball scalping a four-wicket-haul to secure second win for Rhinos in as many matches. Indian bowler Sunny Patel, Bhuvan Karki, Bikram Sob and Bikram Bhusal shared a wicket each. Patel and Sob were miserly in their respective three over spells in the match conceding eight and ten runs respectively.

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Indian batsman Shivam Singh contributed run-a-ball 33 runs which included a four and three sixes. Bhim Sarki faced 21 deliveries for his 21 runs in the match including two boundaries and a six. Both shared a partnership of 35 runs. Except Hari Bahadur Chauhan, none of the other batsmen were able to reach double-digit figures during the chase.

Earlier, Blasters won the toss and elected to bowl first. Mustafa and Paras Khadka gave Rhinos a flying start adding up 117 runs without any loss of wickets. Khadka was eventually dismissed for 63 runs off 40 deliveries which included six boundaries and two sixes. Aarif Sheikh gave a late boost with his 19-ball 41 runs cameo which included three fours and sixes each. 

Avinash Bohora, Bipin Khatri, Lalit Singh Bhandari, Sher Malla, Harsh Tonk and Hari Bahadur Chauhan all conceded more than 10 runs per over. Likewise, Aftabuddin Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers picking up two wickets of Khadka and Babar Hayat and conceding 21 runs off his four overs. 

With the win Rhinos sits on top of the group table and are prime contenders to reach the final directly topping the group. 

Blasters had won the first match in super-over against Kathmandu Golden Warriors. However, with the big loss, Blasters net run rate has suffered a huge dent.

Blasters will face Pokhara Paltan and Rhinos will take on Expert Dhangadhi Blues on Friday.