Kathmandu Gorkhas moved to the top of the Nepal Premier League 2026 table with a 10-run win over Chitwan Rhinos in Match 20 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Sunday, 9 November. Defending 180 for 8, Kathmandu held Chitwan to 170 for 7, with Rashid Khan's 52 off 30 balls proving the difference between the two sides.

It is Kathmandu's third win of the season, after victories over Karnali Yaks and Lumbini Lions, and it takes them to eight points from five matches. Chitwan, meanwhile, slipped to their second defeat of the campaign and remain fourth with five points from five matches.

Rashid leads Kathmandu's recovery after early wickets

Chitwan won the toss and chose to bowl first, and the decision looked a good one when Kathmandu's openers fell cheaply. David Warner made just 1 off 6 balls and wicketkeeper Sahil Patel scored 8, leaving Kathmandu in early trouble.

Rashid Khan then steadied the innings. He scored 52 off 30 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes, and shared a 62-run partnership with William Bosisto, who made 27 off 22 balls. It was Rashid's second half-century of the ongoing NPL season.

Rashid added a further 53 runs with Sahan Arachchige, who struck an aggressive 33 off 20 balls with three fours and two sixes, before falling to Sikandar Raza in the 16th over. Captain Karan KC then provided a late boost with a quickfire 20 off just seven balls, including three sixes, and Santosh Yadav finished unbeaten on 8 off two balls as Kathmandu reached 180 for 8 in their 20 overs.

For Chitwan, Rijan Dhakal was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 14 in his four overs. Captain Sikandar Raza claimed 2 for 19 and Kamal Singh Airee took 2 for 25, while Dan Mousley picked up one wicket.

Bopara keeps Chitwan in the hunt, but the chase falls short

Chasing 181, Chitwan made a fast start through Kamil Mishara, who smashed 28 off just 11 balls, and Arjun Saud, who scored 23 off 21. But wickets at regular intervals kept Kathmandu in control.

Ravi Bopara top-scored for Chitwan with 55 off 35 balls, hitting two fours and three sixes, and Dan Mousley made 29 off 32. Kushal Malla added 13, but Chitwan could not find the late boundaries they needed and finished on 170 for 7 in their 20 overs, 10 runs short of the target.

Sahan Arachchige led Kathmandu's bowling with 2 for 37, while Ganesh Gautam took 1 for 16, Santosh Yadav claimed 1 for 19, Karan KC took 1 for 43 and Jahandad Khan picked up 1 for 37.

What the result means

The win moves Kathmandu to the top of the NPL standings with eight points from five matches, and puts them closer to securing a playoff spot. Chitwan remain fourth with five points from five matches after suffering their second defeat of the tournament, and will need to bounce back quickly to stay in the playoff race.

Match summary

Brief scores: Kathmandu Gorkhas 180/8 in 20 overs (Rashid Khan 52 off 30, Sahan Arachchige 33 off 20, William Bosisto 27; Rijan Dhakal 3-14, Sikandar Raza 2-19) beat Chitwan Rhinos 170/7 in 20 overs (Ravi Bopara 55 off 35, Dan Mousley 29, Kamil Mishara 28 off 11; Sahan Arachchige 2-37) by 10 runs. Chitwan won the toss and elected to bowl. No Player of the Match had been confirmed on the main scorecards at the time of writing.

FAQs

Who won NPL Match 20?

Kathmandu Gorkhas beat Chitwan Rhinos by 10 runs at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on 9 November 2026.

How many runs did Rashid Khan score?

Rashid Khan scored 52 off 30 balls, with two fours and four sixes. It was his second half-century of NPL 2026.

What were the scores in the match?

Kathmandu Gorkhas made 180 for 8 in 20 overs. Chitwan Rhinos finished on 170 for 7 in 20 overs.

Who won the toss?

Chitwan Rhinos won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Where do Kathmandu stand on the NPL table now?

Kathmandu are top of the table with eight points from five matches. Chitwan are fourth with five points from five matches.

Conclusion

Kathmandu Gorkhas are the team to beat in NPL 2026 right now. Rashid Khan's fifty rescued them after a poor start, their bowlers held their nerve at the death, and the 10-run win over Chitwan has taken them to the top of the table. Chitwan will rue a narrow defeat — Bopara's 55 kept them in the hunt until the closing overs, but 180 proved just out of reach on the day.

Also on CricVic: Yuvraj Samra's century powers Pokhara Avengers to first NPL win as Karnali Yaks lose by 63 runs

Also on CricVic: David Warner's 66 powers Kathmandu Gorkhas to 36-run win over Lumbini Lions

Sources: CricTracker — Chitwan Rhinos vs Kathmandu Gorkhas, 20th Match, full scorecard • NepalViews — Kathmandu Gorkhas move to top of NPL standings with win over Chitwan Rhinos