Kathmandu — Lumbini Lions have been crowned champions of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), defeating defending runners-up Sudurpaschim Royals in the final. With this victory, Lumbini lifted their first NPL title, while Sudurpaschim were forced to settle for runners-up for the second consecutive season.
Powered by an outstanding bowling performance from captain Rohit Paudel, Sher Malla, and Ruben Trumpelmann, Lumbini bowled out Sudurpaschim for just 85 runs in 19.1 overs. Chasing a modest target of 86 runs, Lumbini comfortably reached the total within just 9 overs to secure the championship.
Remarkable Comeback to the Title
Lumbini claimed the title after winning six consecutive matches. After defeating Chitwan Rhinos in their opening match, Lumbini suffered three straight losses and were at one point on the verge of elimination during the league stage. However, the team made a remarkable turnaround, winning all subsequent matches to lift the NPL trophy.
Explosive Start by Dinesh Adhikari
Lumbini opener Dinesh Adhikari set the tone in the final with an explosive start, smashing four sixes off Sudurpaschim captain Dipendra Singh Airee in the very first over as Lumbini raced to 27 runs. Adhikari played a blistering knock of 42 runs off just 13 balls, hitting one four and five sixes.
He shared a rapid 58-run opening partnership with Darshy Short in just four overs. However, Hemant Dhami broke the partnership in the fifth over, dismissing both batters. Short was bowled for 13 off 14 balls, while Adhikari was caught off Scott Kuggeleijn’s bowling on the third delivery of the same over.
Sudurpaschim’s Batting Collapse
Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bat first at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Sudurpaschim Royals were bowled out for 85 runs. This total stands as the joint fourth-lowest score in NPL history and the lowest-ever total in an NPL final.
Opener Ishan Pandey was the top scorer for Sudurpaschim with 33 runs off 51 balls, hitting one four. He shared a 25-run partnership for the fourth wicket with captain Dipendra Singh Airee. Airee scored 13 runs off 20 balls, including one six, while Harmit Singh and Scott Kuggeleijn contributed 10 runs each.
Dominant Bowling Display
Lumbini’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance, with Ruben Trumpelmann, Rohit Paudel, and Sher Malla claiming three wickets each. Captain Rohit Paudel completed a hat-trick in the 11th over, dismissing Dipendra Singh Airee, Dipak Bohara, and Punit Mehra in consecutive deliveries. He conceded just 12 runs in his four-over spell.
Trumpelmann was equally impressive, taking three wickets for just three runs in 2.1 overs, while Sher Malla finished with figures of three wickets for 18 runs in four overs. Tilak Bhandari also chipped in with one wicket, conceding 26 runs in four overs.
