Pokhara Rhinos and Bhairahawa Gladiators registered their first wins in the Everest Premier League as the first fixture between them was washed out in the twnety20 franchise cricket tournament at the TU cricket ground in Kirtipur on Wednesday.

Rhinos led by Binod Bhandari inflicted Lalitpur Patriots their second defeat of the tournament with a nine-wicket victory in the rain-affected match reduced to a seven-over inning. Gladiators registered a thumping six wicket victory over Biratnagar Warriors, who also faced their second defeat in a row.

Lalitpur, who had gone down against Kathmandu Kings XI in the opening match on Saturday, were restricted to 51-6 after being put to bat first at the wet outfield. Chasing the target, South Africa's opener Richard Levi smashed an unbeaten 38 runs as Pokhara made 55-1 with three balls to spare.

Lalitpur captained by Kushal Bhurtel failed in the batting department, with only three batters including Sri Lankan duo opener Sandum Weerakkody (19 runs) and Oshade Fernando (unbeaten 10 runs), and Narayan Joshi (11 runs) managing to score double digit figures.

Weerakkody hit a boundary and a six each before being caught by Pokhara skipper and wicketkeeper Binod Bhandari off Kesrick Williams.

Medium pacer NandanYadav claimed three wickets and Bikram Sob pocketed two wickets for Pokhara in their two-over spell each. Yadav and Sob both conceded equal 11 runs.

Chasing the target, the 33-year-old Levi made the light work of the opposition bowlers smashing five fences and a six facing 22 deliveries. His opening partner Rit Gautam scored 12 runs off 14 before being bowled by Azmatullah Omarzai.

In the late game, Karan KC-led Warriors were bowled out for 89 runs after Sri Lankan pace bowler Dhammika Prasad and Aarif Sheikh grabbed three wickets each. Bhairahawa achieved the target in 15.3 overs with 92-4 on board.

Warriors, defeated by Chitwan Tigers in the first match, came up with a poor batting performance and lost wickets in regular intervals. Openers Aasif Sheikh (11 runs), Sri Lankan Dilshan Munaweera (25 runs), Anil Sah (11 runs), Sumit Maharjan (13 runs) and Basanta Regmi (not out 10 runs) were the only batters to score double digit figures.

Munaweera, the highest scorer for Warriors hit two fours and a six in his 20-ball knock before being caught by Abinash Bohara off Sheikh.

Gladiators’ Prasad, also the man-of-the-match, was the pick of bowling conceding just six runs in his three-over bowling with one maiden over. Sheikh gave away 23 runs in his three-over spell. Abinash Bohara took two wickets.

Chasing the target, Sri Lankan batter Upul Tharanga contributed an unbeaten 34 runs for Bhairahawa. The 36-year-old left-handed batter hit four fences in his 35-ball knock. Opener Pradeep Airee contributed 22 runs while Tamil Iqbal and Rohit Paudel were dismissed after scoring 12 runs each. Airee hit a four and a six in 23 deliveries.

Warriors' Ramnaresh Giri picked two wickets in his four-over haul giving away 30 runs. Karan KC and Basanta Regmi pocketed one wicket each.

There will be two matches on Thursday, with Chitwan Tigers taking on Kathmandu Kings XI in the early kick off and Bhairahawa vying with Lalitpur.