KATHMANDU, Dec 26: Opening batsman Sunil Dhamala carried his bat scoring unbeaten 70 runs from 62 deliveries to power Pokhara Rhinos to 132 runs in 20 overs. Rhinos collected 40 runs in last 4 overs of the innings as Dhamala smashed 5 sixes in his first fifty of the EPL 2017.

Lalitpur Patriots won the toss and elected to bowl first in a must-win contest for them to qualify for the playoffs. Rhinos lost two early wickets as both Pakistani recruits Israullah and Asif Ali were dismissed cheaply. A partnership of 66 runs between Dhamala and Rajesh Pulami Magar who scored 32 runs in 32 deliveries bailed out Rhinos from a tricky situation. Binod Bhandari scored 12 runs from 7 deliveries at the end of the innings to provide the late boost to the Rhinos total.

Lalit Rajbanshi, Sandeep Lamichhane, Dinesh Bhandari and Rashid Khan picked up a wicket each for Patriots.

Match Summary:
Pokhara Rhinos 132/5 (20 Ov)
Sunil Dhamala 70* (62) 2 fours, 5 sixes
Rajesh Pulami 32 (32) 2 fours, 1 six
Lalit Rajbanshi 4-0-16-1
Sandeep Lamichhane 4-0-22-1 
Lalitpur Patriots (Toss) Target 133

 
• lalitpur
 
• qualify
 
• dhamala
 
• blasts