MATCH PREVIEW
Follow UsChitwan Rhinos have achieved their first task of lifting that title, making it to the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2024 playoffs. But in front of them is a strong Karnali Yaks side, who they will face in the Eliminator on December 18 (Wednesday). In a morning start at the TU Cricket Ground, the toss is going to be crucial. The team winning the toss will be tempted to bowl first to make the best of the overcast conditions.
As the day progresses, batting is expected to get easier.
The season so far
The Rhinos got off to an excellent start in the tournament, winning three of their first four matches but lost their way a bit, winning one of the next three. However, they did just about enough to finish third on the points, winning four of the seven matches. With the bat, Ravi Bopara and Kushal Malla have been their mainstays, with Hassan Eisakhil and Amar Rautela too chipping in.
The Rhinos have unearthed a new bowling sensation, with Rijan Dhakal proving to be too hot to handle for the opposition. He is the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament at an economy rate of 7.57. He has overshadowed Sohail Tanvir, who started the NPL with eight wickets in two matches but has managed just four scalps in five matches since then.
Dhakal has the most NPL wickets (9) in the powerplay, while the Rhinos, with 21 scalps in the first six, are the second-best team in the tournament.
Another positive news for them is the return to form of their skipper Malla, who slammed 72 off just 41 in the do-or-die game against Janakpur Bolts. The Rhinos would certainly breathe a huge sigh of relief as the turnaround seems to have come just in time for the playoffs.
Who do they have to be wary of?
They will be against the Yaks, who are high on confidence after winning four of their last five matches.
Their main match-winner has been William Bosisto, who has scored 66, 2*, 44 and 16 in his four innings and also has the best bowling figures - 6/28 - in the NPL. Not to forget, left-arm apinner Bipin Sharma has picked up a wicket in every match of the tournament, and he too could be a handful for the Rhinos.
Other than Bosisto (128), Chadwick Walton (126) and Gulsan Jha (102) are the two other batters with over 100 runs in the tournament, and they will be key players with the bat.
Previous meeting
The last time these two sides met, the match went down to the wire, but the Yaks managed to get over the line with just one ball to spare, chasing a modest 131.
Should the Rhinos consider changes?
The Rhinos have chopped and changed a lot in the group stages, but they now seem to have a settled unit. They could ponder getting back Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton in place of Basil Hameed, who was a late signing. They will also look for a way to include Luc Benkenstin in the XI. However, as things stand, only two of Tanvir, Benkenstein, Hameed, or Loftie-Eaton, will get an opportunity, as the other overseas slots pick themselves.
Likely XI: Hassan Eisakhil, Bipin Rawal (wk), Santosh Karki, Kushal Malla, Ravi Bopara, Basil Hameed, Amar Routela, Sohail Tanvir, Deepak Bohora, Rijan Dhajal, Ranjit Kumar
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