Sudurpaschim Royals beat Chitwan Rhinos by five wickets in the Nepal Premier League on 2 November, chasing down a target of 130 with 20 balls to spare at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. The Royals finished on 131 for five in 16.4 overs, after the Rhinos had posted 129 for six from their 20 overs.

The chase was built around a rapid innings from Brandon McMullen, who top-scored with 43 from just 21 balls, including six fours and two sixes. His brisk scoring kept the required rate under control even as wickets fell around him, and gave the middle order a platform from which to finish the job.

Early wickets, then a calm finish

The Royals did not have everything their own way. Saif Zaib was dismissed for two and Binod Bhandari for 11, before McMullen and Ishan Pandey steadied the innings. Pandey made 25 from 29 balls, while Dipendra Singh Airee was dismissed without scoring, leaving the Royals needing composure in the closing overs.

That composure came from Aarif Sheikh and Sherfane Rutherford, who were both unbeaten at the end. Sheikh finished on 20 from 26 balls and Rutherford on 21 from 15 balls, guiding their side past the target without further loss.

Ranjit Kumar leads Rhinos bowling

For Chitwan, Ranjit Kumar was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for 28 runs from his four overs. He dismissed Bhandari, McMullen and Airee, and briefly gave the Rhinos hope of defending a modest total. Shyam Mousom Dhakal and Rijan Dhakal took one wicket each, but the Rhinos could not apply sustained pressure.

The win continues an entertaining start to the Nepal Premier League season at Kirtipur.

Sources: Khel Now, Sudurpaschim Royals v Chitwan Rhinos scorecard, Nepal Premier League, 2 November 2026.