NPL 2025: Lumbini Lions Enter Final, to Face Sudurpaschim on Saturday

Kathmandu, Dec 11: Lumbini Lions have booked a spot in the final of the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) after defeating Biratnagar Kings by 40 runs in Qualifier 2 on Thursday.

Batting first at the TU International Cricket Ground, Lumbini posted 134 runs for eight wickets in 20 overs. D’Arcy Short top-scored with 45 runs off 41 balls, while Rohit Kumar Paudel added 34 and Niroshan Dickwella contributed 29. Ruben Trumpelmann remained unbeaten on 11.

For Biratnagar, Subash Bhandari and Pratish GC took three wickets each, while Sandeep Lamichhane grabbed two.

In reply, Biratnagar Kings were bowled out for 94 runs in 17.4 overs. Sam Heazlett scored 34, and Naren Bhatta added 21 runs. Lumbini’s bowling attack dominated the innings, with Tilak Bhandari taking three wickets. Ruben Trumpelmann, Abhishesh Gautam and JJ Smit picked up two wickets each.

Lumbini Lions will now face Sudurpaschim Royals in the final match scheduled for Saturday.