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The second day of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) featured two matches at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, with the Chitwan Rhinos and Biratnagar Kings emerging victorious.

The first match of the day saw the Chitwan Rhinos clinch a four-wicket win against the Karnali Yaks. After winning the toss, Chitwan’s decision to field first initially appeared costly as Karnali’s opener, Priyank Panchal, launched a devastating assault on the bowling attack. Panchal’s innings of 90 from just 48 balls, which included seven boundaries and six sixes, formed the backbone of the Karnali’ total. Despite his dominance, the Chitwan bowlers did well to restrict the flow of runs in the death overs, limiting Karnali to 166 for 3. Spinner Ravi Bopara was notably economical, conceding only 18 runs from his three overs and taking the crucial wicket of Panchal.

In reply, the Chitwan’ chase was marked by periods of pressure and timely acceleration. They suffered early setbacks with the dismissals of Dawid Malan and Dev Khanal, leaving them at a precarious 29 for 2. A 38-run partnership between Deepak Bohara (42) and Ravi Bopara steadied the innings before another flurry of wickets swung the momentum back towards Karnali. With the game in the balance, Bopara shifted gears to complete a vital half-century. However, the match-winning impetus came from Saif Zaib, who blasted 38 runs from a mere 16 deliveries, including four sixes, to dismantle Karnali’s bowling attack in the final overs. The Chitwan eventually reached their target of 167 with five balls to spare. For his pivotal 52-run knock and key wicket, Bopara was awarded the Player of the Match.

The evening game was a display of pure batting firepower as the Biratnagar Kings secured a comprehensive 53-run victory over the Pokhara Avengers. Put into bat first, Biratnagar amassed a formidable total of 220 for 6, highest in the second season. The innings was set up by a spectacular 132-run stand between Lokesh Bam and Martin Guptill. Guptill was the initial aggressor, racing to 61 off 35 balls, while Bam anchored the innings with a composed 72 from 48 deliveries. The onslaught was continued by Shubham Ranjane, who smashed 38 from 16 balls to propel the Biratnagar past the 220-mark, leaving the Pokhara’s bowlers with an economy rate soaring above 10 for the night.

Facing a daunting required rate of 11.05, the Pokhara Avengers began their chase with explosive intent. Adam Rossington (39 from 21 balls) and Kushal Bhurtel (59 from 31 balls) took the powerplay score to 77 for 1, keeping their team in contention. However, the dismissal of Bhurtel triggered a dramatic and catastrophic collapse. The middle order, including Jimmy Neesham and Trit Raj Das, fell cheaply to the spin of Sandeep Lamichhane, who finished with exceptional figures of 2 for 18 from his four overs. From a promising 88 for 1, the Pokhara lost their last nine wickets for 79 runs, eventually being bowled out for 167 in the 19th over. The Biratnagar bowling was a collective effort, with Marchant de Lange, Pratis GC, and Shubham Ranjane all claiming two wickets each.

The Nepal Premier League continues on Wednesday with a single day-night fixture at the same venue. The Kathmandu Gorkhas will take on the Sudurpaschim Royals, with the match scheduled to begin at 4:00 pm.

This match will mark the season opener for the Sudurpaschim Royals, who will be looking to start their campaign on a positive note. The Kathmandu Gorkhas, in contrast, will be playing their second game, buoyed by a victory over the Janakpur Bolts in the tournament opener on Monday. 

Chitwan Rhinos defeated Karnali Yaks by four wickets in today’s second match of the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL).

In the match held at TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Karnali were invited to bat first after losing the toss. 

Karnali posted 166/3 in 20 overs. 

Chitwan reached the target of 167-run with five balls to spare at the loss of six wickets. 

For Chitwan, Bopara was the top scorer with 52 runs off 36 balls, including three fours and three sixes. 

Deepak Bohora added 42 runs off  36 deliveries, Saif Zaib smashed 38 off just 16 balls, and captain Kushal Malla contributed 20 runs off 15 balls, hitting two sixes.

For Karnali, captain Sompal Kami took two wickets, while Unis Singh, Mark Watt, and Yuvraj Khatri claimed one wicket each. 

Earlier, Karnali opener Priyank Panchal top-scored with 90 runs, falling just ten short of a century. 

Making his NPL debut, Panchal struck seven fours and six sixes off 48 balls.

Similarly, Max O’Dowd scored 20 runs with one four off 30 balls, Mark Watt scored 16 with one four in off  balls, Pawan Sharraf was not out with 27, and Najibullah Zadran was not out on four runs.

Chitwan’s bowlers Sohail Tanvir, Saif Zaib, and Bopara each claimed one wicket. 

Karnali Yaks set a target of 167 runs against Chitwan Rhinos in the second match of the second edition of Nepal Premier League (NPL) on Tuesday.

In the match held at the Tribhuvan International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Karnali, having lost the toss and invited to bat first, scored a total of 166 runs for the loss of three wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Opener Priyank Panchal gave the highest contribution of 90 runs for Karnali. He missed scoring a century by 10 runs.

Playing in the NPL for the first time, Panchal scored the highest 90 runs with the help of seven fours and six sixes off 48 balls. He has become the second player in this edition to score a half-century.

Similarly, for Karnali, Max O'Dowd scored 20 runs hitting one four off 30 balls. Mark Watt scored 16 with a four off 21 balls, Pawan Sarraf remained unbeaten on 27, and Najibullah Zadran remained unbeaten on four runs.

Currently, Chitwan Rhinos are batting in response against Karnali Yaks.

The Netherlands confirmed their place at the 2026 World Cup with a comfortable home victory over Lithuania, BBC reported.

The unbeaten Dutch were as good as there anyway, going into the final day three points above Poland with a superior goal difference of 13.

All four of the Netherlands' goalscorers were Premier League players - the first time that has happened in a game.

Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders lashed them into a 16th-minute lead, according to BBC.