Kathmandu Gorkhas climbed to the top of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) standings with their fourth consecutive victory, defeating Chitwan Rhinos by 10 runs in the second match of Monday's double-header.

Having lost their opening match against Janakpur Bolts, Kathmandu have since won four matches in a row. The latest victory has put them within touching distance of a place in the playoffs.

Kathmandu have eight points from five matches, moving one point ahead of Lumbini Lions. Chitwan remain fourth with five points from five matches.

Chitwan captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to field. Kathmandu made 180 for eight in 20 overs. Chitwan, in reply, managed 170 for seven at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, despite a half-century from Ravi Bopara. 

Openers Arjun Saud and Kamil Mishara gave Chitwan a brisk start, putting on 48 runs inside the first five overs. Santosh Yadav broke the partnership by bowling Saud, who scored 23 off 21 balls, including four fours. Sri Lankan batter Mishara made 28 off 11 balls, hitting a four and three sixes. He was sent back to the pavilion after Mohammad Aadil Alam took an excellent running catch off fellow Sri Lankan Sahan Arachchige.

Dan Mousley and Bopara then added 55 runs for the third wicket. Mousley scored 29 off 32 balls, including three fours, before being dismissed. Talent Hunt selection Ganesh Gautam bowled Chitwan captain Sikandar Raza for two runs.

Bopara scored 55 off 35 balls, hitting two fours and three sixes, before being dismissed in the final over. His half-century kept Chitwan in contention, but the required scoring rate proved too steep.

Kushal Malla scored 13 off 12 balls, including a four, while Bibek Yadav was run out for four. Kamal Singh Airee remained unbeaten on five and Rijan Dhakal on one.

For Kathmandu, Arachchige took two wickets for 37 runs in four overs. Captain Karan KC, Jahandad Khan, Santosh Yadav and Ganesh Gautam claimed one wicket apiece.

Earlier, Kathmandu had lost both openers, David Warner and Sahil Patel, for just 13 runs inside the first four overs. The pair had put on a 104-run opening partnership in their previous match against Lumbini Lions.

Australian batting star Warner was bowled by Kamal Singh Airee for one off six balls, while Patel scored eight off 12 deliveries before being dismissed by Rijan Dhakal. However, Rashid Khan maintained Kathmandu's strong batting form with a half-century.

Rashid scored 52 off 30 balls, including two fours and four sixes. It was his second half-century in the ongoing tournament. He shared a 62-run partnership for the third wicket with William Bosisto and added another 53 runs for the fourth wicket with Arachchige.

Bosisto made 27 off 22 balls, including a six, while Arachchige scored 33 off 20 deliveries, hitting three fours and two sixes.

Captain Karan KC provided a late flourish, smashing 20 off just seven balls, including three sixes. He hit English bowler Dan Mousley for three consecutive sixes in the first three deliveries of an over before being trapped leg-before-wicket off the fourth ball.

Mohammad Aadil Alam scored nine off eight balls, hitting two fours, while Jahandad Khan managed six off 13 deliveries. Santosh Yadav remained unbeaten on eight off two balls, including a six.

For Chitwan, Rijan Dhakal took three wickets for 14 runs in four overs. Sikandar Raza claimed two for 19 in three overs, while Kamal Singh Airee took two for 25 in four overs.