NPL 2026: Lumbini Lions beat Sudurpaschim Royals by eight wickets

KATHMANDU: Defending champions Lumbini Lions began their 2026 Nepal Premier League (NPL) campaign in style, beating two-time runners-up Sudurpashchim Royals by seven wickets in the tournament opener in Kathmandu on Monday.

Bowling first after winning the toss, Lumbini bundled out Sudurpashchim for 87 runs in 17.2 overs and then reached the target of 88 with seven wickets and 61 balls to spare.

Sudurpashchim made a poor start with the bat. Openers Binod Bhandari (9) and Saif Zaib (13) added 24 runs for the first wicket. After Bhandari’s dismissal in the fourth over, however, Sudurpashchim suffered a batting collapse, losing wickets at regular intervals.

Aarif Sheikh fell for a duck, Brandon McMullen made two and Ishan Pandey contributed seven, while big-hitting Sherfane Rutherford (2) lasted just two balls.

Captain Dipendra Singh Airee made a fighting 27 off 23 balls before being bowled by Kishor Mahato. Scott Kuggeleijn fell for a duck. The last-wicket pair of Anil Kharel (12) and Abinash Bohara (3) added 17 runs for the 10th wicket.

Kishor Mahato dismissed four Sudurpashchim batters, conceding 28 runs in his four-over spell. Sher Malla claimed three wickets for just 11 runs, while Shadley van Schalkwyk, Tilak Bhandari and captain Rohit Paudel chipped in with a wicket each for Lumbini.

Lumbini’s openers made light work of the chase, adding 71 runs for the first wicket. D’Arcy Short scored 40 off just 18 balls, clubbing three towering sixes and four fours. Aasif Sheikh, who joined Lumbini from Janakpur Bolts for the 2026 season, scored 32 off 25 balls, hitting two sixes and two fours.

Niroshan Dickwella (7) fell cheaply, but Shamim Hossain (1) and Rohit Paudel (5) guided Lumbini home with more than 10 overs to spare.

Anil Kharel took two wickets for Sudurpashchim, while captain Airee claimed one. Scott Kuggeleijn conceded 30 runs in his two overs, while Brandon McMullen gave away 11 in his one-over spell.

Biratnagar Kings will face Chitwan Rhinos in the first match on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m., before Janakpur Bolts take on Karnali Yaks at 5 p.m.