The Last League Day at Kirtipur: Chitwan Want a Playoff Place, Karnali Want One More Chance

This is the last league game for both sides, and the table will have changed by the toss. As of Thursday night, Chitwan Rhinos were fifth with five points from five games: wins over Biratnagar and Pokhara, defeats to Sudurpaschim and Kathmandu, and one washout. They play Janakpur on Friday, so they could arrive here already in the top four, or needing a win to get there. Karnali Yaks were seventh on four points from six games, with a net run rate of -0.955. They beat Janakpur and Biratnagar early on, then lost four in a row, the latest when Lumbini bowled them out for 105 on Thursday. A win here takes Karnali to six points, but with that net run rate, they will need other results to go their way too.

The 12:15 PM games have been the higher-scoring ones at Kirtipur, with Pokhara making 217 for 3 against Karnali in this slot on Monday. Around 170 may be a good score. Chitwan's batting has Ravi Bopara, who made 55 off 35 against Kathmandu, Kamil Mishara at the top and captain Sikandar Raza. Rijan Dhakal took 3 for 14 in that game. Karnali's best moment on Thursday came with the ball: Mark Watt took 4 for 12 in four overs. Their batting needs more from David Miller, who made 5 on Thursday after his 93 not out against Sudurpaschim.

A possible Rhinos XI, based on their last completed game: Kamil Mishara, Arjun Saud (wk), Ravi Bopara, Dan Mousley, Sikandar Raza (c), Kushal Malla, Bibek Yadav, Kamal Airee, Rijan Dhakal, Ranjit Kumar, Mousom Dhakal. A possible Yaks XI, based on Thursday's side: Dipendra Rawat, Ariful Islam, Deepak Dumre, David Miller, Pawan Sarraf, Sompal Kami, Hussain Talat, Mark Watt, Gulsan Jha, Nandan Yadav, Bipin Sharma. Friday's result may well bring changes for Chitwan.