NPL 2024: Kushal Malla's Rhinos crash out despite spirited display

Despite putting up an excellent fight, Chitwan Rhinos have crashed out of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2024 after succumbing to a 21-run loss against the Karnali Yaks in the Eliminator at the TU Cricket Ground.

Here are some of the key factors that led to it on a bright and sunny afternoon in Kirtipur:

Contrasting outings for Tanvir and Dhakal

The beauty of the Sohail Tanvir-Rijan Dhakal partnership in the NPL has been that one always makes up for the other's bad day in the office. 

That's exactly what happened today as Tanvir brought all his experience to play and finished with 2/24 - including a wicket of the first ball again. It was a day to forget for Dhakal (0/44), who finished with 13 wickets in the tournament, one behind Tanvir.

Kolsawala comes out of the syllabus

The Yaks threw a bit of a curveball today as they roped in Jaykishan Kolsawala into the XI for the first time in the tournament. The man from Surat smashed 53 off just 39, opening the batting. Eventually, a bit of a pause in the game led to a lapse in concentration, leading to his undoing, but the damage was done. 

No answer for Walton, Bosisto

William Bosisto and Chadwick Walton have been the men in form for the Yaks this season, and they proved their worth in a crucial game. Bosisto slammed 52 off just 39, while Walton smashed an unbeaten 46 at a strike rate of 200 to lift his team's total to 175/6. 

The duo also put on 67 off just 29 for the fifth wicket to further help their cause.

Bopara all-round show

Ravi Bopara not only picked up the big wicket of Kolsawala but also conceded just eight runs in his two overs, which briefly put the choke on the opposition. 

Bopara's day was not done just yet. He slammed 53 off just 34 deliveries to keep the Rhinos in the hunt, but with very little support from the other end, it was too much for him as well.

Nandan Yadav's twin strikes

With 47 needed off the final three overs and a well-set Bopara at the crease, Nandan Yadav was tasked with getting the job done. I did not start off well as Amar Routela smashed him for a six over fine-leg. But then, he had the last laugh as he cleaned the batter up. Next up, he bowled a juicy full-toss to Bopara, who hit it straight to Gulshan Jha, who took a good catching running in from the deep square leg fielder. 

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