Chitwan Rhinos moved into third place in the Nepal Premier League after beating Pokhara Avengers by 30 runs on Friday, taking their points tally to five and leaving Pokhara’s playoff hopes hanging by a thread.

Chasing 152, Pokhara were bowled out for 121 in 19 overs, their fourth consecutive defeat of the season.

Arjun Kumal’s dismissal for 45 off 44 balls dealt a major blow to the chase. Out-of-form Kushal Bhurtel managed just four runs and also lost the captaincy, with Chamika Karunaratne taking over for the match.

Yuvraj Samra made 19 off 14 balls before being bowled by Dan Mousley, while Samira Samarawickrama fell for four. Rijan Dhakal took four wickets for Chitwan and Kamal Singh Airee claimed three.

Earlier, Chitwan, put in to bat at the TU International Cricket Ground, made 151 for six in 20 overs. Captain Sikandar Raza and Ravi Bopara added 60 for the fifth wicket to give the Rhinos a competitive total.

Raza scored 37 off 16 balls, including two fours and four sixes, while Bopara made 35 off 28 deliveries, with three fours and two sixes.

Arjun Saud and Dawid Malan had put on 60 for the first wicket before both fell in quick succession. Saud made 31 off 27 balls and Malan 28 off 28. Mousley was dismissed for two, while Kushal Malla made 11.

Karunaratne, Bipin Khatri and Bhurtel took two wickets each for Pokhara.