KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Gorkhas kept their play-off hopes alive in the Nepal Premier League with a comprehensive 53-run victory over Chitwan Rhinos on Friday.

Batting first, Kathmandu were bowled out for 142 runs in 19.4 overs. In reply, Chitwan succumbed for just 89 runs in 17.2 overs.

Kathmandu made a shaky start with the bat. Opener Aakash Tripathi departed for four runs in the second over. Rahshid Khan (8) followed him in the next opener. When opener Ben Charlesworth fell for 13 in the fifth over, Kathmandu were reeling at 24 for three. John Simpson and Milind Kumar, however, stabilized the innings with a crucial partnership. Simpson hammered 60 off 29 balls to change the momentum of the innings, while Milind Kumar contributed a steady 38 off 43 deliveries. No other Kathmandu batter reached double figures.

For Chitwan, Sohail Tanvir led the attack with an impressive four-wicket haul. Rijan Dhakal and Ranjita Kumar took two wickets each, while Ravi Bopara claimed one.

Chitwan’s chase unravelled almost immediately. Opener Deepak Bohara was dismissed for a duck in the first over, and his partner Dawid Malan fell for seven in the fourth. Although Dev Khanal offered brief resistance with 21 runs, regular wickets kept Chitwan under constant pressure. Saif Zaib (1) and captain Kushal Malla (6) departed cheaply, leaving the innings in complete disarray. Bopara scored 21, and Tanvir added 18 off 17 balls. However, the rest of the line-up failed to reach double digits.

Rashid Khan starred with the ball for Kathmandu, taking three wickets, while Karan KC, Milind Kumar, and Sahab Alam picked up two apiece. Santosh Yadav added one.

With the win, Kathmandu Gorkhas now have six points from five matches. Chitwan Rhinos remain on four points from four matches.