John Simpson produced a stunning all-round performance to power Kathmandu Gorkhas (NPL) to a thumping 53-run win over Chitwan Rhinos in Match 15 of the Nepal Premier League at the TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, on Friday. The keeper-batter smashed 60 off just 29 balls as Chitwan folded for 89 in pursuit of 143.
Put in to bat after Chitwan won the toss, Kathmandu made a shaky start. The Gorkhas lost Aakash Tripathi (4), Rashid Khan (6) and Ben Charlesworth (13) inside the powerplay to slip to 24/3 after 5.6 overs, managing 39 for 3 in the first six overs.
From there, Simpson and Milind Kumar engineered a superb recovery. The pair added 98 runs for the fourth wicket off 70 balls, rotating strike smartly before exploding in the middle overs. Milind anchored the innings with 38 off 43 balls (5 fours), while Simpson was the aggressor, racing to a 25-ball fifty and finishing with 60 off 29 deliveries, peppered with 3 fours and 5 sixes.
Once the stand was broken at 122, Kathmandu lost momentum and slipped from 133/7 to 142 all out in 19.4 overs, with only Mohammad Aadil Alam (8 off 5) and Shahab Alam (2* off 4) adding brief cameos. The total, however, looked competitive on a surface where stroke-making was never straightforward.
For Chitwan, left-arm seamer Sohail Tanvir was the standout, returning excellent figures of 4/25 from his four overs. Ranjit Kumar backed him up with 2/28, while Kamal Airee (2/19 off 2.4) struck crucial blows at the death.
Chitwan's reply never got going. Deepak Bohara fell early for a duck, and the pressure of the chase told on the top order. Dawid Malan (7 off 10) and Saif Zaib (1 off 3) departed in quick succession as Kathmandu’s new-ball pair kept things tight, restricting the Rhinos to just 28/3 in the powerplay.
Dev Khanal tried to counter-attack with 21 off 18 balls (2 fours, 1 six), while captain Kushal Malla scratched his way to 6 off 13. But regular strikes from the Gorkhas meant Chitwan were reeling at 43/5 at the drinks break after 9.2 overs. Veteran all-rounder Ravi Bopara (21 off 23) added some resistance, and Sohail Tanvir chipped in with 18 off 17 balls, yet the required rate kept climbing.
The lower order could not provide a miracle. Kamal Airee (9 off 8) was one of the few to reach double figures, but once Bopara and Tanvir were removed, the chase disintegrated. Chitwan lost their last five wickets for just nine runs, tumbling from 80/5 to 89 all out in 17.2 overs.
Kathmandu’s bowlers turned in a disciplined performance across the board. Skipper Karan KC led from the front with 2/23 from his four overs, while Milind Kumar completed a fine all-round match with 2/18 in his full quota. Left-armer Shahab Alam also picked up 2/26.
The late damage was inflicted by Rashid Khan, who ripped through the tail with remarkable figures of 3/3 in just 1.2 overs to finish off the contest. Santosh Yadav chipped in with 1/9 from two overs as Kathmandu sealed a comprehensive win with 16 balls to spare.
