Ranjeet Kumar’s five-for spirals Chitwan Rhinos to a 48-run victory against Biratnagar Kings on Wednesday. Ranjeet was the protagonist of the 12th match of the season as he gave away just 21 runs while dismissing the likes of NPL debutant Sam Heazlett, Basir Ahamad, Naren Bhatta, Narayan Joshi and Surya Tamang.

Ravi Bopara’s consistency, had earlier, helped the Rhinos get to 174 runs at the loss of five wickets in 20 overs. Bopara had three fours and four sixes on his way to a 38-ball 65. Other notable innings included Saif Zaib’s 30-ball 32, Dev Khanal’s 22-ball 28 and Kushal Malla’s unbeaten 20 off 14 deliveries.

Marchant de Lange and skipper Sandeep Lamichhane took two wickets each for the Kings with Shubham Ranjane taking one scalp.

The Kings’ tail was the only thing that got going in their chase other than Heazlett who came on at number four for a quickfire 22. Marchant de Lange, this time, troubled the opposition batters for a change and smashed four sixes to get to a 22-ball 39. Pratis GC produced some fireworks to get to 30 runs in just 12 deliveries with two fours and three sixes.

Besides Ranjeet’s five wickets, Kamal Singh Airee also picked up two wickets while Sohail tanveer, Saif Zaib and skipper Kushal Malla picked up one wicket each.

Rhinos now have four points from three matches while the Kings stay on six points from four.

Thursday will see two matches being played in the SBL NPL; Lions taking on the Royals in the early encounter followed by Bolts taking on the Avengers.