Kathmandu Gorkhas posted a 143-run target against Chitwan Rhinos in the Nepal Premier League match at TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur on Friday, after a late collapse halted what had looked like a strong recovery led by John Simpson.

Chitwan chose to field, and Kathmandu struggled early. Aakash Tripathi fell for 4 in the second over, and Rashid Khan departed soon after. Ben Charlesworth’s dismissal for 13 left Kathmandu at 24 for 3 inside five overs. Milind Kumar and Simpson then steadied the innings with a 50-run stand off 44 balls, lifting the side past the halfway mark at 59 for 3.

Simpson accelerated sharply, reaching his half-century off 25 balls with three fours and four sixes. His 60 off 29 deliveries shifted momentum, but the innings unravelled once he and Kumar fell in quick succession at 122. Kathmandu lost seven wickets for just 20 runs in the final 24 balls, slipping from a competitive platform to being bowled out before completing their quota of overs.

Sohail Tanvir led Chitwan’s attack with figures of 4 for 25, striking at key moments and removing Milind Kumar, Mohammad Aadil Alam, and two lower-order batters. Ranjit Kumar and Kamal Airee took two wickets each, while Ravi Bopara chipped in with the dismissal of Kumar.

Kathmandu managed only 39 runs in the powerplay and reached 100 in 14.1 overs, but the clatter of wickets late on held them to a moderate total.