Chitwan's Spinners Meet Kathmandu's Stars in the Evening Game at Kirtipur
Chitwan Rhinos are third and fresh from a 30-run win. Kathmandu Gorkhas have won two in a row and play the unbeaten Lumbini Lions first, on Saturday. Both are pushing for a top-four place.
The match
Chitwan Rhinos are third with five points from four games (two wins, one defeat, one washout). They beat Biratnagar by eight runs behind Dawid Malan's 70 off 50, lost to Sudur Paschim after making only 129 for 6, and then beat Pokhara by 30 on Friday, when Rijan Dhakal took 4 for 24 and Kamal Airee 3 for 7. Kathmandu Gorkhas had four points from three games before Saturday's match against Lumbini Lions. After losing their opener to Janakpur, they chased 181 against Karnali and then bowled Biratnagar out for 83 and won with 62 balls to spare, with David Warner making 44 off 24 and Santosh Yadav taking 3 for 11. The result against Lumbini may change where they stand by Monday, so the table could look different at the toss.
Pitch and possible XIs
The evening game at Kirtipur has tended to suit sides who bowl well through the middle overs. That is Chitwan's strength: Dhakal, Airee and Ranjit Kumar have shared a lot of their wickets. For Kathmandu, Rashid Khan is the bowler who can change a game in four overs, and Chitwan's batting, with Malan, Ravi Bopara and Sikandar Raza, has the experience to play him carefully. A score of around 150 may be a good one here.
A possible Chitwan XI: Dawid Malan, Dan Mousley, Ravi Bopara, Sikandar Raza, Arjun Saud, Bibek Yadav, Dev Khanal, Kamal Airee, Rijan Dhakal, Ranjit Kumar, Mousom Dhakal. A possible Kathmandu XI: David Warner, William Bosisto, Sahil Patel, Rashid Khan, Karan KC, Bhim Sharki, Jahandad Khan, Santosh Yadav, Sahan Arachchige, Dev Shah, Ripon Mondol. Kathmandu's side may change after the Lumbini game.
The verdict
Chitwan's slow bowlers have been the best part of their season, and a total of 150 could be enough for them. But Kathmandu have more match-winners, and Warner looks to be finding form. We lean towards Kathmandu, narrowly, though this one may come down to who handles the middle overs better. If Malan bats deep and Chitwan's spinners squeeze the Gorkhas between overs seven and fifteen, the Rhinos could just as easily take the two points and stay in the top three. Chitwan Rhinos vs Kathmandu Gorkhas, Nepal Premier League 2026, Kirtipur — Monday, November 9, 4:15 PM IST.