NPL Chitwan Rhinos vs Lumbini Lions Full Report: Gulbadin Blistering innings power Lumbini Lions to win

The fifth match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) saw the Lumbini Lions kick off their campaign with a Commanding six-wicket victory over the Chitwan Rhinos at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

Lumbini Lions won the toss and Opted to bowl first, Chitwan Rhinos innings struggled to find momentum against a disciplined Lions bowling attack. The Rhinos start was shaky, losing opener Dawid Malan for a golden duck in the very first over to a superb delivery from the Ruben Trumplemann spearhead,  The early wickets continued to fall, with Deepak Bohara and Dev Khanal also departing quickly. While Kushal Malla managed 21 .

Ravi Bopara, who anchored the innings with a hard-fought 66 runs off 55 balls. Bopara  experience was evident as he patiently rebuilt the innings after the early collapse, first consolidating and then attempting to accelerate later. He found a brief, aggressive partner in Saif Zaib 15 runs off 7 deliveries , Chitwan Rhinos managed 142/7 in 20 overs .

Ruben Trumplemann was stand out bowler for Lions took 3/23 in 4 overs while two wickets for Gulbadin Naib and Abhishesh Gautam .

Chasing 143 , Lumbini Lions began their chase with aggressive intent. D’Arcy Short 11 off 6 and Sundeep Jora 28 off 18 launched an immediate assault on the Rhinos pace attack, smacking 17 runs in the opening over to signal their clear intentions. Although Short was dismissed in the second over, the foundation for a brisk chase was set.

However Rohit Paudel anchored the innings played 39 runs knock off 44 deliveries, rotating the strike smartly and punishing losse deliveries , Put 60 run Partnerships with Gulbadin Naib. Meanwhile Naib took the charge smashed an unbeaten 44 runs off 24 balls , featuring 3 fours and 3 sixes .His clean hitting brought down the required run rate quickly and shifted the game firmly in Lumbini Lions favour, Guided the Lions to 146/4 in 18.3 overs sealing a comfortable victory with nine balls to spare.

While Raijan Dhakal was best  bowler for Chitwan Rhinos gets 2/17 in 3 overs while Sohail Tanvir chipped with 1 wicket .

NPL Chitwan Rhinos vs Lumbini Lions Match summary

Toss: Lumbini Lions won the toss and Opted to bowl first

Chitwan Rhinos innings: 142/7 in 20 overs

Top performer: Ravi Bhopara 66 runs off 44 deliveries, Ruben Trumplemann 3/23 in 4 overs

Lumbini Lions innings: 146/4 in 18.3 overs

Top performer: Gulbadin Naib 44 runs off 24 balls, Raijan Dhakal 2/17 in 3 overs

Result: Lumbini Lions won by 6 wickets

Player of the match: Ruben Trumplemann 3/23 in 4 overs