Chitwan Rhinos managed just 129 for six in their 20 overs against Sudurpaschim Royals in the second match of Monday’s Nepal Premier League double-header at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

Sudurpaschim captain Dipendra Singh Airee won the toss and elected to field, with his bowlers keeping Chitwan’s scoring in check throughout the innings.

Chitwan lost Dev Khanal for seven early on. English opener Dawid Malan made 16 off 17 balls, hitting one four, while Arjun Saud scored 15 off 16 deliveries, with one four and a six.

Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza captained Chitwan on Monday. Ravi Bopara had led the side in their previous match, while Raza was unavailable because of his international commitments with Zimbabwe. Kushal Malla, who captained Chitwan in the first two seasons, was also absent from Monday’s playing XI.

Raza made only 15 off 20 balls, hitting one four, before being dismissed by left-arm spinner Anil Kharel.

Bopara was Chitwan’s leading scorer with 49 off 40 deliveries, including three fours and two sixes. During his innings, he also reached the milestone of 10,000 runs in all forms of T20 cricket.

For Sudurpaschim, Scott Kuggeleijn took two wickets for 27 runs in his four overs. Hemant Dhami, captain Dipendra Singh Airee and Anil Kharel claimed one wicket each.

Chitwan had beaten Biratnagar Kings by eight runs in their opening match. Their second game, against Lumbini Lions, was abandoned without a toss because of rain.

Sudurpaschim, meanwhile, had won one and lost two of their first three matches and were seventh in the eight-team standings heading into Monday’s fixture. They opened their campaign with a seven-wicket defeat to Lumbini Lions, beat Pokhara Avengers by six wickets in their second match, and then lost to Biratnagar Kings by 35 runs.