KATHMANDU, Dec 25: After being 2 for 68 at halfway mark, Pokhara Rhinos collapsed to 108 all out in the 19th over. Rhinos lost last eight wickets for 40 runs. It was an all-round bowling effort from Bhairahawa Gladiators bowlers as Dipesh Shrestha, skipper Sharad Vesawkar, and Krishna Karki picked up two wickets each.
Indian players Pratham Salunke, Puneet Mishra along with Hari Shankar Shah and Aarif Sheikh chipped in with a wicket each to bundle Rhinos out in 18.3 overs.
Pokhara Rhinos won the toss and elected to bat first for the battle of the second position in the points table. Pakistan batsman Israrullah scored 41 runs once again holding an end for Rhinos but struggled to forge a partnership as wickets kept tumbling from the other end. Sunil Dhamala was second top-scorer with 15 runs to his name.
Struggling for form batsmen, Binod Bhandari, Rajesh Pulami were dismissed for a duck. Similarly, Saurav Khanal could only muster 9 runs to his name with a six to his name. Skipper Shakti Gauchan who came to bat at number nine made three not our runs.
Match Summary
Pokhara Rhinos (Toss) 108 all out (18.3 Ov)
Israrullah 41 (40) 6 fours
Dipesh Shrestha 3.3-0-14-2
S Vesawkar 4-0-18-2
K Karki 3-0-23-2
Bhairahawa Gladiators
Target 109