Kathmandu: Kathmandu Gorkhas defended a modest total of 142 runs to beat Chitwan Rhinos by 53 runs and register their third victory in the Nepal Premier League T20 at the TU Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur, Friday.

Sent in to bat first, the Gorkhas were bowled out for 142 with four balls remaining despite a quickfire half-century from John Simpson. In reply, the Rhinos kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were reeling at 47-6 in the 11th over before being bundled out for 89 in 17.2 overs.

The third win from five matches lifted the Gorkhas to third place with six points. The Rhinos, who suffered their second defeat in four games, slipped to fourth with four points.

Gorkhas’ English batter Simpson smashed a blistering 60 off 29 balls, hitting three boundaries and five sixes, before Kamal Airee had him caught by Saif Zaib. Simpson provided much-needed stability when the side was struggling at 24-3, putting together a 98-run stand for the fourth wicket with Milind Kumar, who contributed a valuable 38 off 43 deliveries, including three fours and five sixes.

Opener Ben Charlesworth was the other Gorkhas batter to reach double figures, scoring 13 off 14 balls.

Pakistani medium pacer Sohail Tanvir shone with the ball for the Rhinos, claiming 4-25 in his four-over spell, including three wickets in the 18th over. Ranjit Kumar and Kamal Airee picked up two wickets each.

In the chase, No.3 batter Dev Khanal and middle-order veteran Ravi Bopara top-scored with 21 runs apiece as the remaining batters fell cheaply. Khanal struck two boundaries and a six in his 18-ball knock, while Bopara hit a four and a six off 17 deliveries. Tanvir (18 off 17) was the only other Rhino batter to reach double figures.

Gorkhas bowler Rashid Khan returned with exceptional figures of 3 for 3 off just eight deliveries, taking two wickets in back-to-back balls in the 18th over. Karan KC, Milind Kumar and Shahab Alam chipped in with two wickets each.