Shakti Gauchan’s Rupandehi Challengers made an early exit from the Dhangadi Premier League Twenty20 cricket after their fourth consecutive defeat on Thursday. 

On a day when Binod Bhandari overcame his poor form with the bat, Challengers lost to Mahendranagar United that effectively ended their playoff hopes. Winless Challengers stay at the bottom of the six-team tournament that sends the top four into playoffs. Kathmandu Goldens currently lead the table with six points from three consecutive victories and United climbed into the second spot on net run-rate after they were tied on four points with Biratnagar Kings and Team Chauraha Dhangadi. CYC Attariya, two points from three matches, are still in the hunt. Chauraha, who lost to Paras Khadka-led Kings in Thursday’s early game, and Challengers have only one league match left.

Challengers managed to put their highest total so far making 144-8. But skipper Bhandari and United’s Indian recruit Punit Bista shone with the bat guiding their side to 145-6 in 18.5 overs. For national team veteran Gauchan, the tournament was a heartbreak. “A lot of our players didn’t seem to have done good preparation individually. We looked very ordinary and our foreign recruits were not up to their potentials,” said Gauchan. 

United lost Aasif Sheikh (five) and Karan KC (duck) at 17-2 but Bhandari and Bista resurrected the innings with a crucial 58-run stand for the third wicket. Bista, who had taken four wickets in Challengers innings, made a quick-fire 45 off 22 balls with four sixes and three boundaries. 

United did lose three wickets for 25 runs, beginning with the dismissal of Bista to be 100-5 in 13.3 overs. However, Bhandari ensured his innings was going to be significant sharing 37 runs for the sixth wicket with Puneet Mehra (16 not out). Bhandari hit five boundaries and two sixes in his watchful 48-ball 61. Dipesh Shrestha took three wickets, while Susan Bhari Shrestha had two scalp. With two Indian recruits looking in good touch and Bhandari regaining form, United coach Binod Das was quite happy. 

“He (Bhandari) is a player with good potential. It is good for the team if he continues with his form. We have a good bowling attack and our international recruits are giving good contribution. We now just want to add some mental strength in this squad,” said Das. Challengers innings once again revolved around their opener Pradeep Airee, who came into the match with back-to-back half centuries. They lost Sonu Ansari early before Airee added 51 runs for the second wicket with Kushal Malla (15). Airee struck 39 off 32 balls with five boundaries and a six. Sagar Pun contributed with a 21-ball 28 hitting three sixes and a four. Bista was keeping wickets in the previous games and came in to  bowl for the first time picking up 4-12.

Kings comeback stuns Chauraha

Biratnagar Kings made a good comeback with the ball to pull second victory on Thursday. In the early kickoff, Kings defeated Sompal Kami’s Team Chauraha Dhangadi by 18 runs to boost their playoffs chances. Kings were folded for an below-par 127 in 19.5 overs after Sunil Dhamala vindicated Kami’s decision to bowl first. Chauraha managed only 109-9 in 20 overs after their middle order failed to build on the start provided by UAE recruit Ashfaq Ahmed. 

Ahmed (22), dropped on zero by Manjeet Shrestha at mid wicket, went on to smash two sixes and a four in his 36-run opening wicket stand with Dhamala (12). Shankar Rana top scored for Chauraha with 25. Man-of-the-match Pawan Sarraf, who was the top scorer in Kings innings, took 4-25. Khadka and Basanta Regmi took two wickets each for Kings.

Earlier, Dhamala ran riot over Kings’ top and middle order dismissing Dilip Nath (four) and Anil Kumar Sah (24), skipper Khadka (2) and Prithu Baskota (3). In between Samsad Sheikh claimed the key wicket of Babar Hayat, who made 15 off eight with two fours and a six. Kings were reeling at 81-5 in 13.5 overs before Sarraf resurrected the innings. Sarraf made a 34-ball 41 hitting two sixes and four. Dhamala returned the miserly figures of 4-10 off four overs. Kami and UAE skipper Rohan Mustafa also took two wickets each. 

Summaries

Biratnagar Kings 127 in 19.5 overs (P Sarraf 41, A Sah 24; S Dhamala 4-10, R Mustafa 2-22) beat Dhangadi Team Chauraha 109-9 in 20 overs (S Rana 25, A Ahmed 22; P Sarraf 4-25, B Regmi 2-14) by 18 runs Man-of-the-match: P Sarraf (Kings)

Mahendranagar United 145-6 in 18.5 overs (B Bhandari 61, P Bista 45; D Shrestha 3-25, S Bhari 2-32) beat Rupandehi Challengers 144-8 in 20 overs (PS Airee 39, S Pun 28; P Bista 4-12, B Karki 1-19) by four wickets Man-of-the-match: P Bista (United)