The Bolts Need a Win, the Rhinos Need to Stay Put: Friday Evening at Kirtipur

Janakpur Bolts started well, beating Kathmandu and Pokhara, but they have lost three in a row since: to Biratnagar by two runs, to Lumbini by 16, and to Sudurpaschim by 27 on Tuesday, when they were bowled out for 93 chasing 121. They have four points from six games, with only this match and one more left, so they probably need to win both. Chitwan Rhinos have five points from five games, two wins, two defeats and one washout, and sit fourth. They lost to Kathmandu by 10 runs on Monday, but they made 170 for 7 chasing 181 and were close until the end. Thursday's games may change the table before the toss.

The evening game at Kirtipur has often been decided in the middle overs, and around 150 to 160 has been a good score. Janakpur's bowling is not the problem: captain Harmeet Singh took 4 for 17 on Tuesday. Their batting is, with nobody past 21 in that chase. Chitwan have more batting, with Ravi Bopara making 55 off 35 balls against Kathmandu and captain Sikandar Raza able to change a game in a few overs. Rijan Dhakal has 3 for 14 and 4 for 24 in his last two games.

A possible Bolts XI, based on their last game: Anil Sah (wk), Aaditya Mahata, Trit Raj Das, Harry Tector, Ryan Burl, Bishal Shusling, James Neesham, Harmeet Singh (c), Abhisekh Tiwari, Lalit Rajbanshi, Rahul Yadav. A possible Rhinos XI: Kamil Mishara, Arjun Saud (wk), Ravi Bopara, Dan Mousley, Sikandar Raza (c), Kushal Malla, Bibek Yadav, Kamal Airee, Rijan Dhakal, Ranjit Kumar, Mousom Dhakal. Either side may make changes.