KATHMANDU: Defending champions, Lumbini Lions, have made an impressive start to the defense of their 2025 NPL title by limiting Sudurpaschim Royals to a meagre 87 runs, bowling them out in 17.2 overs.
In the inaugural match of Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026 underway at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Lumbini Lions led by Rohit Paudel decided to bat first after winning the toss.
In limiting Sudurpaschim to a partly total, Sher Malla struck in the third over, trapping captain Binod Bhandari LBW while Kishore Mahato struck twice in the fourth over, taking the wickets of Aarif Sheikh and Brandon McMullen. Sudurpachim continued to lose wickets, with only captain Dipendra Singh Airee (27) and opener Saif Zaib (13) scoring in double figures, while Anil Kharel remained not out with 15 runs.
In the end, Kishore Mahato took 4 wickets, Sher Malla took 3 wickets, while Shadley van Schalkwyk, Tilak Bhandari and Rohit Paudel took one wicket each.
This is the third edition of the NPL, a franchise-based T20 cricket tournament organised by the Cricket Association of Nepal. It features a total of eight franchise-based teams.
