Kathmandu – Lumbini Lions secured their place in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) final after a convincing 40-run victory over Biratnagar Kings in Qualifier 2 at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground on Thursday. Lumbini will face Sudurpaschim Royals in the championship match scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 PM.
Batting first, Lumbini posted 134 for 8, anchored by a solid 45 from opener Darcy Short and 34 from captain Rohit Paudel. The pair shared a crucial 69-run stand for the second wicket after an early setback. Biratnagar’s Subash Bhandari produced an impressive spell, taking 3 wickets for just 14 runs, while Pratish GC also claimed 3 wickets.
In reply, Biratnagar faltered from the outset, collapsing to 94 all out in 17.5 overs. Lumbini’s bowling attack dominated, with Tilakraj Bhandari leading the charge with 3 for 15. Ruben Trumpelman, JJ Schmidt, and Abhishesh Gautam picked up two wickets each as Biratnagar’s top order crumbled under pressure, losing three wickets within the first over and a half.
Sam Heazlett’s 34 off 28 briefly steadied Biratnagar, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, extinguishing any hopes of a recovery. This defeat came after Biratnagar had already suffered a heavy 77-run loss to Sudurpaschim in Qualifier 1.
With the win, Lumbini—who had finished last in the previous season—completed a remarkable turnaround to reach the final, while Sudurpaschim, last year’s runners-up, will attempt to go one step further in the title decider.
The NPL final between Lumbini Lions and Sudurpaschim Royals will be played at TU Cricket Ground on Saturday.
