Kathmandu: Defending champions Janakpur Bolts finally opened their account in the Nepal Premier League T20 securing their first win in five matches with a stunning six-wicket victory over Chitwan Rhinos at the TU Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur, on Wednesday.

Openers Maaz Sadaqat and Anil Sah powered the chase with fluent half-centuries as the Bolts overhauled the target reaching 180-4 in just 17.3 overs. The Rhinos, who opted to bat first, had earlier posted a competitive total of 176-4 on the back of half-centuries from openers Dawid Malan and Arjun Saud.

The win keeps Janakpur’s playoff hopes hanging by a thread. They now have two points from five matches and climbing to seventh from bottom of the eight-team standings. For the Rhinos, the loss dealt a serious blow to their top-four ambitions; they have now suffered three defeats in five matches but continue to sit fourth with four points.

Batting first, Rhinos’ English batter Malan produced a commanding 80 off 54 balls, studded with four boundaries and five sixes. Saud complemented him with a brisk 52 off 39, hitting four fours and three sixes. The pair added a solid 112-run opening stand before Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton made Saud caught by Sanjay Krishnamurthi. Malan, later dismissed as the fourth wicket in the 19th over, was trapped leg-before by Sadaqat.

Captain Kushal Malla chipped in with an unbeaten 30 off 14 balls, smashing two boundaries and as many sixes to lift the Rhinos to a strong finish.

For the Bolts, Sadaqat, Sah, Rupesh Singh, and Loftie-Eaton took a wicket each.

In reply, Pakistani opener Sadaqat delivered a blistering knock of 63 off 30 balls, studded with six fours and four sixes, giving Janakpur a fiery start. Sah, who had struggled for form in earlier matches, struck his first fifty of the tournament—an aggressive 61 off 36, hammering four boundaries and three sixes.

Aaditya Mahat provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 18 off 7, hitting two fours and a six, including the winning boundary. Aasif Sheikh (18) and Loftie-Eaton (11) also contributed valuable runs.

For the Rhinos, Sohail Tanvir, Kamal Airee, and Amar Routela claimed a wicket apiece.