Priyank Panchal’s 48-ball 90 for the Karnali Yaks against the Chitwan Rhinos in the Nepal Premier League went in vain.
Priyank Panchal shines on Nepal Premier League debut
Earlier this year, Panchal had retired from first-class cricket. In 127 first-class matches, he had amassed 8,856 runs at 45.18 with 29 hundreds. For Gujarat, only Parthiv Patel (6,968) had more runs than Panchal’s 6,889. In 2016/17, he captained Gujarat to their maiden Ranji Trophy title.
The retirement enabled Panchal to pursue options in overseas leagues. At the NPL 2025, he signed up for the Karnali Yaks, who posted 166-3 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur after Chitwan Rhinos captain Kushal Malla won the toss and opted to field.
Leading the charge was Panchal himself, who smashed 90 in 48 balls with seven fours and six sixes against an attack that consisted of Malla as well as overseas stars like Sohail Tanvir (4-0-26-1) and Ravi Bopara (3-0-18-1).
Unfortunately, Panchal’s opening partner Max O’Dowd (20 in 30 balls) struggled to get going, as did Mark Watt (16 in 21). It took some late hits form Pawan Sarraf (27 not out in 16) to take the Yaks to a challenging total.
Deepak Bohara (42 in 36) led the response for the Rhinos before Bopara (52 in 36) assumed control. Malla hit two sixes in his 15-ball 20, while Saif Zaib’s 16-ball 38 turned out to be decisive even as Sompal Kami returned 2-33 in four overs.
With 12 to chase in 11 balls, Bopara hit Mark Watt for a six and a four before Panchal caught him off the last ball. Nandan Yadav came to defend two runs in the last over, but Arjun Saud hit a six off the first ball to seal the chase.
