Cricket Kitchen

NPL: Four Teams in the Race for the Title

December 8, 2025

 

 

Kathmandu – In the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), four teams remain in contention to become league champions. With the playoff equation now finalized, Sudurpaschim Royals—who top the table with 12 points—and second-placed Biratnagar Kings with 10 points will face each other in the first qualifier.

 

Kathmandu Gorkhas, who also collected 10 points but sit below Biratnagar on net run rate, will play the Eliminator. Kathmandu will face Lumbini Lions in that match. Lumbini secured a playoff spot with eight points from seven matches. All four teams are in the race to become new champions. Defending champions Janakpur Bolts failed to qualify for the playoffs this season. Janakpur had claimed the inaugural title by defeating Sudurpaschim by five wickets in the final.

 

Sudurpaschim Royals

 

Led by Dipendra Singh Airee, last season’s runners-up Sudurpaschim have emerged as strong contenders for the title this year. Sudurpaschim won six consecutive matches out of seven in the league stage, losing only their final match against Biratnagar. With six wins, they are the only team this season to achieve such a streak.

 

In each of their victories, a different player stepped up as the match winner. In their opening match, a foreign all-rounder scored 53 runs and took two wickets to secure a 29-run win over Kathmandu, earning the Player of the Match award.

 

In their second match, Sudurpaschim defeated Pokhara Avengers by 18 runs, courtesy of 68 runs from foreign player Josh Brown, who was named Player of the Match.

 

In the third match, they beat Karnali Yaks by 45 runs, with captain Airee contributing an all-round performance—39 runs with the bat and four wickets with the ball.

 

Their fourth straight win came against Lumbini Lions, winning by seven wickets. Wicketkeeper-batter Binod Bhandari scored an unbeaten 69 and took three catches, earning Player of the Match.

 

Sudurpaschim then beat Janakpur by six wickets in their fifth match. Ishan Pandey scored 59 runs and was named Player of the Match.

 

In their sixth match, they stunned Chitwan Rhinos with a 49-run victory, with Chris Lynn scoring 75 runs and winning Player of the Match.

 

Though Sudurpaschim lost their final league match against Biratnagar by six wickets, they remain strong title contenders.

 

Coach Jagat Tamata expressed confidence in winning the title this time. “We were the runners-up last year. This time our goal is to become champions. We are not dependent on a single player, which has already been reflected in our performances,” he said.

 

Biratnagar Kings

 

Led by Sandeep Lamichhane, Biratnagar has reached Qualifier 1 by winning five league matches. After failing to reach the playoffs last season, they have shown notable improvement and now aim to win the trophy.

 

Biratnagar started strong with three consecutive wins but lost their fourth and sixth matches. Victories in the fifth and seventh matches secured their playoff berth.

 

In the opening match, Lokesh Bam shone with 72 runs and was named Player of the Match in their 53-run win over Pokhara. In their second match—a five-wicket win over Kathmandu—Merchant de Lange took two crucial wickets and earned Player of the Match.

 

Captain Lamichhane was Player of the Match in their third game, taking four wickets to seal a nine-run win over Janakpur. Biratnagar lost to Chitwan by 48 runs in the fourth match and to Lumbini by five wickets in the sixth.

 

In the fifth match, Basir Ahmad scored 62 runs and was Player of the Match in their win over Karnali Yaks. In the seventh match—a six-wicket victory against Sudurpaschim—Faf du Plessis was named Player of the Match.

 

Lamichhane said their team is also not dependent on a single player, adding, “Different match winners have emerged throughout the tournament, increasing our confidence in one another.”

 

Kathmandu Gorkhas

 

Led by Karan KC, Kathmandu missed the playoffs last season due to net run rate but have performed far better this season. Winning five of their seven matches, they’ve secured a playoff berth and are determined to fight for the title.

 

Kathmandu defeated Janakpur by five wickets in their first match, then lost to Sudurpaschim by 29 runs and to Biratnagar by five wickets. After that, they made a strong comeback, winning all remaining matches.

 

They beat Lumbini by 22 runs, Chitwan by 53 runs, Karnali Yaks by six wickets, and Pokhara by 13 runs.

 

Captain KC said the team’s focus is now fully on becoming champions: “We’ve reached the playoffs. Now our priority is to improve on our weaknesses and compete strongly for the title.”

 

Lumbini Lions

 

Led by Rohit Kumar Paudel, Lumbini secured a playoff position by winning four matches. They began strongly with a six-wicket win over Chitwan but then suffered three consecutive defeats—against Karnali, Kathmandu, and Sudurpaschim.

 

Lumbini’s revival began after the fifth match. They defeated Pokhara by three wickets, Biratnagar by five wickets, and Janakpur by four wickets to clinch a playoff spot.

 

Captain Paudel is confident about winning the title. “Among the four playoff teams, I see Lumbini as the strongest. We fear no one,” he said.