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IPL: Maxwell, Chahal help RCB seal playoff berth

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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) confirmed their IPL 2021 playoffs’ spot with a six-run win over Punjab Kings.

With 16 points, Virat Kohli-led side now sits comfortably at third on the points table behind Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals.

KL Rahul’s men are now out of the contention as they have only one match left and the required points to qualify are 14. They are left with 10 points.

Maxwell rises to the occasion

Hard-hitter Glenn Maxwell continued his sublime form with the third consecutive fifty of the competition after they opted to bat first.

His innings help RCB to post 164/7 on a tough Sharjah pitch where it was not easy to smack from the ball.

Maxwell battled the way out of Punjab’s bowlers after Moises Henriques sneaked three wickets, including set openers Devdutt Padikkal (40) and Kohli (25).

In his 33-ball 57, Maxwell hit four maximums and three fours.

He batted with an impressive strike rate of 172.73. He was supported brilliantly by AB de Villiers, who scored 23 off 18 balls.

Maxwell praised openers for batting in a difficult time and providing a 68-run stand.

“Came in at a nice time to bat. To have it set up by the openers today gave us some time to get an idea of the wicket,” the Australian star said while receiving the Player of the Match award.

Chahal bring his experience into play

Yuzvendra Chahal produced a match-winning spell of 3/29 after Punjab Kings’ openers looked set to chase down the 165-run target.

KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal posted a 91-run opening stand.

Shahbaz Ahmed removed Rahul to provided a crucial breakthrough but Chahal hold the other end and eventually bagged three wickets.

He removed Nicholas Pooran, Agarwal and Sarfaraz Ahmed in his four-over spell.

Two wickets in the 16th over pushed Punjab Kings back and they finished on 158/6.

Controversy surrounds the third-umpire decision

Another controversial decision by the third umpire during the UAE leg left everyone shocked.

A caught-behind appeal was turned down in the eighth over of the RCB’s innings.

RCB opener Devdutt Padikkal tried to sweep Ravi Bishnoi’s delivery running down the leg stump but failed to make any connection as Rahul collected it.

Bishnoi and Rahul were certain about the ball taking an edge on its way, the on-field umpire didn’t look interested as the appeal was forwarded to the TV umpire.

Snickometer showed a clear spike when the ball passed close to the gloves and the bat, however, the official still stayed with the on-field umpire’s decision, leading Rahul and Punjab Kings to frustration.

Kohli eyes top-two finish

Kohli is thrilled after RCB won eight matches out of 12 games and is hoping to finish in the top two by winning the remaining games.

He knew the importance of Rahul and Agarwal’s wickets that can bring them back into the game.

“We have two more opportunities to finish in the top two. We knew the wicket would get slower and slower. KL and Mayank batted really well, but we knew we were just two wickets from coming back into the game.”

Rahul once again claimed Orange Cup but he is not happy as the team is now out of the event.

He also lamented that his batters have disappointed over the last two seasons.

“I wouldn’t say I haven’t enjoyed wearing it (the Orange Cap) but I would have been happier if we had qualified. The last couple of years have been disappointing. If I have to be honest, our batting has let us down.”

Royal Challengers Bangalore 164 for 7 (Maxwell 57, Padikkal 40, Henriques 3-12) beat Punjab Kings 158 for 6 (Agarwal 57, Rahul 39, Chahal 3-29) by six runs.

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Bhandari’s Half-Century Powers Sudurpaschim Royals into NPL Final

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Sudurpaschim Royals in NPL final

Sudurpaschim Royals in NPL final! Binod Bhandari’s unbeaten half-century guided Sudurpaschim Royals to an emphatic eight-wicket win against Janakpur Bolts, securing their spot in the NPL final. Chasing a target of 140, Bhandari displayed exceptional composure, scoring 58 runs off 55 balls. His partnerships with Saif Zaib and Brandon McMullen were instrumental in steadying the chase after an early loss of wickets.

The Royals’ bowling unit also played a crucial role, with captain Dipendra Singh Airee taking three wickets! Restricting Janakpur Bolts to a modest total. Airee’s leadership with the ball ensured the Royals maintained control throughout the first innings. Janakpur Bolts struggled to build momentum, with only James Neesham and Subash Khakurel making notable contributions of 44 and 26 runs, respectively.

Bhandari’s calculated innings included strategic boundaries and well-timed strikes, proving his experience and resilience in pressure situations. His efforts were well-supported by Saif Zaib, who contributed a steady 30 runs, and McMullen, who added 20 to ensure a smooth chase.

The victory sends Sudurpaschim Royals into the final, where they will face the winner of the second qualifier. The Royals’ all-around performance underlined their strength as a cohesive unit, showcasing both batting depth and bowling prowess.

Janakpur Bolts will now battle the second qualifier against Karnali Yaks to keep their title hopes alive. The thrilling contest promises an exciting final ahead in the Nepal Premier League.

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Sudurpaschim Royals Set 140-Run Target Against Janakpur Bolts to Reach NPL Final

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Sudurpaschim Royals have set a 140-run target for Janakpur Bolts in the Nepal Premier League, aiming to secure a spot in the final.

In a pivotal Nepal Premier League (NPL) match, Sudurpaschim Royals set a challenging 140-run target for Janakpur Bolts. Janakpur, opting to bat first, managed to score 139 runs for nine wickets across 20 overs. The Royals’ bowlers were in top form, with Dipendra Singh Airee’s impressive three-wicket haul playing a key role.

James Neesham’s strong performance, scoring 44 runs off 23 balls, anchored the Janakpur innings. Subash Khakurel also contributed with 26 runs, but the rest of the batting order couldn’t capitalize on their starts.

The match’s outcome will determine who advances directly to the final of the NPL. Sudurpaschim Royals have set their sights firmly on victory, with the 140-run target being a significant challenge for Janakpur. If Janakpur fails to chase down the target, they will still have a chance to make it to the final, but only after facing Karnali Yaks in the second qualifier.

The Sudurpaschim Royals’ bowlers will be key in defending this 140-run target. Their disciplined approach and sharp tactics will be crucial as they look to prevent Janakpur Bolts from chasing the set total and secure their place in the NPL final. The tension is high, and cricket fans eagerly await the next steps in this exciting encounter.

Sudurpaschim Royals’ 140-run target has put pressure on Janakpur, making this match a must-watch for all NPL enthusiasts. The Royals’ bowlers are set to play a vital role in their hopes of reaching the final.

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Karnali Yaks Secure Qualifier Spot with Victory Over Chitwan Rhinos

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Karnali Yaks secure qualifier berth in NPL with a decisive 17-run win over Chitwan Rhinos, led by Anil Sah’s 67 and disciplined bowling.

Karnali Yaks delivered a commanding performance against Chitwan Rhinos, clinching a crucial win that secured their place in the Nepal Premier League qualifiers. With this win, the Yaks ensured that their efforts throughout the tournament culminated in a spot among the top teams. The victory was powered by both solid batting and disciplined bowling, which kept Chitwan’s chase under control throughout the match. Karnali Yaks qualifier!

In their innings, the Karnali Yaks set a challenging target, thanks to an impressive contribution from their middle-order batsmen. Their steady partnerships and timely hitting from the tail ensured they posted a total that was always going to be difficult for Chitwan Rhinos to chase. Karnali Yaks qualifier! The Yaks’ bowlers, led by their pace attack, controlled the flow of runs, consistently breaking partnerships and picking up key wickets.

Chitwan Rhinos, while they fought hard, were unable to maintain the required run rate. Despite some strong efforts from a few of their key batsmen, the pressure mounted as they failed to build partnerships. The Rhinos could not recover from the consistent breakthroughs by the Karnali bowlers. Additionally, the Yaks’ fielding was exceptional, with a few key stops and a game-changing run-out.

The win has boosted Karnali Yaks’ confidence as they head into the qualifiers. This victory was a testament to their all-round capabilities, making them serious contenders for the title. On the other hand, Chitwan Rhinos will need to regroup quickly, as the loss in such a crucial game has dealt a blow to their qualification hopes.

Karnali Yaks now looks forward to the next phase of the competition, where they will face tougher opponents, but their strong performance in this match has given them the momentum needed to go all the way.

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