Chitwan Rhinos beat Janakpur Bolts by four wickets in Nepal Premier League Match 25 at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Friday, 13 November, chasing down a target of 89 with 16 balls to spare. The win moves Chitwan up to fourth in the table with seven points, while Janakpur — champions of the inaugural NPL season — are out of the playoff race.

Janakpur won the toss and batted first but managed only 88-9 in their 20 overs, undone by a remarkable spell from Ranjit Kumar, who took three wickets for just two runs. Chitwan's chase wobbled badly at 13-4 and then 67-6, but Dawid Malan held his nerve with an unbeaten 35 and saw his side home with Kamal Singh Airee.

Ranjit Kumar's 3 for 2 wrecks Janakpur

Janakpur's innings never got going. Trit Raj Das was the first to fall, making five off nine balls before falling to Ranjit Kumar, and Chitwan captain Sikandar Raza then bowled his fellow Zimbabwean Ryan Burl for six. Ranjit tightened the grip by dismissing both openers — Santosh Karki, playing his first match of the tournament, made 10 off 11 balls including a six, while Harry Tector was dismissed without scoring.

Captain Harmeet Singh tried to steady the innings with a top score of 25 off 25 balls, including two fours and a six, but no one else passed 15. Bishal Shusling made 15, Rahul Yadav finished unbeaten on 10 after hitting a six off the final ball, and Janakpur closed on 88-9. They lost their third wicket at 21, their fifth at 40 and their eighth at 72, and never put a partnership together.

Ranjit Kumar finished with 3-2 in three overs, including a maiden — the most economical spell of the match. Raza took 2-10 in four overs, including two maidens, and Kamil Mishara claimed 2-18 in three overs. Rijan Dhakal took one wicket for 10 runs and Kamal Singh Airee one for 25.

Malan holds a wobbling chase together

Chasing only 89, Chitwan made hard work of it. Arjun Saud was dismissed off the second ball of the innings, and by the fifth over they had slumped to 13-4 — Kamil Mishara gone for 12, Ravi Bopara for 13 and Raza lbw without scoring. Bibek Kumar Yadav made seven and Kushal Malla 15, and at 67-6 in the 14th over the chase was still in the balance.

Malan, though, never panicked. He finished unbeaten on 35 off 39 balls, with one six, and sealed the win with a six off the second ball of the 18th over. Airee stayed with him on seven not out as Chitwan reached 92-6 in 17.2 overs.

Rahul Yadav was the pick of Janakpur's bowlers with 3-19 in three overs. Lalit Rajbanshi took two wickets and Bishal Shusling one for five runs in two overs, but Janakpur simply did not have enough runs to defend.

The playoff picture

The win takes Chitwan to seven points from six matches and fourth place in the standings, ahead of Biratnagar Kings on six. Sudurpaschim Royals lead the table with 10 points, followed by Lumbini Lions on nine and Kathmandu Gorkhas on eight, with the top four going through to the playoffs.

For Janakpur, the defeat ends their season. They finish with four points from seven matches and join Karnali Yaks and Pokhara Avengers as the teams already out of the playoff race. It is a poor return for the first-season champions, who never recovered from a slow start to the tournament.

What happens next

Chitwan play their final league match against Karnali Yaks on Sunday, 15 November. A win would take them to nine points and keep them firmly in the playoff hunt, while Karnali — already eliminated — have only pride to play for. The league stage wraps up on 15 November, with the playoffs to follow.

FAQs

Who won NPL Match 25?

Chitwan Rhinos beat Janakpur Bolts by four wickets at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Friday, 13 November 2026. Janakpur made 88-9 in 20 overs and Chitwan chased the target down, reaching 92-6 in 17.2 overs.

How did Janakpur only make 88?

Janakpur won the toss and batted first but lost wickets throughout. Ranjit Kumar took 3-2 in three overs including a maiden, Sikandar Raza took 2-10 with two maidens and Kamil Mishara took 2-18. Only captain Harmeet Singh, with 25 off 25 balls, passed 15.

How did Chitwan recover from 13 for 4?

Chitwan slumped to 13-4 inside five overs and were 67-6 in the 14th over, but Dawid Malan held the chase together with an unbeaten 35 off 39 balls. He sealed the win with a six off the second ball of the 18th over, with Kamal Singh Airee seven not out at the other end.

Are Janakpur out of the NPL playoffs?

Yes. The defeat leaves Janakpur on four points from seven matches, with their league campaign over. They join Karnali Yaks and Pokhara Avengers as the teams already eliminated from the playoff race.

What is next for Chitwan Rhinos?

Chitwan play their final league match against Karnali Yaks on Sunday, 15 November. They have seven points from six matches and sit fourth — a win would take them to nine points and keep them firmly in the playoff hunt.

Conclusion

This was a low-scoring scrap that Chitwan nearly let slip. Ranjit Kumar's 3-2 gave them a target of just 89, and even then they needed Malan's calm head to drag them over the line from 13-4. For Janakpur, it is a flat end to the season — the first-season champions bow out with four points and no playoff cricket. For Chitwan, the win keeps everything alive: beat Karnali on Sunday and they finish on nine points, right in the mix for the top four.

Also on CricVic: D'Arcy Short Stars as Lumbini Lions Beat Karnali Yaks to Seal First NPL Playoff Spot and Sandeep Lamichhane's Six-For Fires Biratnagar Kings to Four-Wicket Win as Pokhara Avengers Bow Out of NPL Playoff Race

Sources: Kathmandu Post — Chitwan beat Janakpur to strengthen playoff hopes, Kathmandu Post — Janakpur collapse against Chitwan in must-win match, OnlineKhabar — Chitwan Rhinos beat Janakpur Bolts by four wickets, knock them out of playoff race, Khel Now — Janakpur Bolts vs Chitwan Rhinos, Match 25 scorecard