Kathmandu: English opener Dawid Malan slammed a fluent half-century as Chitwan Rhinos registered an eight-run win over Biratnagar Kings in their opening match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) at the TU Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur on Tuesday.

Sent in to bat first, Rhinos posted 157-3 on the back of Malan’s fluent 70 off 50 balls before bowling out Sandeep Lamichhane-led Kings for 149 with three balls to spare.

The 39-year-old Malan struck five boundaries and five sixes before Andre Russell bowled him in the 13th over.

Rhinos captain Ravi Bopara (32 off 26 balls) and Dan Mousley (29 off 22 balls) made significant contributions, remaining unbeaten.

Kings struggled to build momentum after losing openers Imran Sheikh (39 off 31 balls) and Lokesh Bam (26 off 14 balls) during the run chase.

Although middle-order batter Andre Russell staged a brief fightback for Kings, his dismissal for 33 off 17 balls dealt a major blow to their hopes. He smashed four towering sixes and a boundary before Dev Khanal had him caught off Kamal Airee’s bowling.

Player of the match Kamal Airee claimed 4-26 in his four-over spell, while Rijan Dhakal picked up two wickets.