Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Biratnagar Kings will look to build on their recent victory when they take on Janakpur Bolts in the first match of Tuesday’s double-header in the Nepal Premier League (NPL), while defending champions Lumbini Lions will seek to maintain their winning momentum against winless Pokhara Avengers in the evening fixture at the TU International Cricket Stadium.
The Biratnagar-Janakpur encounter will begin at 12:30 pm, followed by Lumbini’s clash against Pokhara at 5 pm.
Biratnagar Kings vs Janakpur Bolts
The opening fixture is expected to be a closely contested affair as Janakpur look to continue its two-match winning streak after suffering a loss in their opening fixture. Biratnagar, on the other hand, bounced back in their previous fixture against Sudurpaschim following their successive defeats.
Biratnagar and Janakpur have faced each other twice in the tournament, with each side registering a victory. Janakpur won their first encounter by eight wickets in 2024, while Biratnagar secured a nine-run victory in 2025.
With one win from three matches, Biratnagar have two points and sit sixth in the standings. Janakpur are second with four points from three matches.
Janakpur’s experienced overseas contingent, including Moeen Ali, James Neesham and Iftikhar Ahmed, gives them considerable depth in both batting and bowling. Captain Harmeet Singh will also be expected to play an important all-round role. Biratnagar, led by Sandeep Lamichhane, will look to their bowling attack to contain Janakpur’s formidable batting line-up.
Lumbini Lions vs Pokhara Avengers
The second match will see defending champions Lumbini Lions take on a struggling Pokhara Avengers side still searching for their first victory of the season.
The two teams have met twice in the previous editions of the NPL, with both winning one each. Pokhara registered a commanding 10-wicket victory in their first meeting in 2024, while Lumbini defeated Pokhara by three wickets in 2025.
Lumbini have made a promising start to their title defence. They opened their campaign with a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Sudurpaschim Royals. Their second fixture against Chitwan Rhinos, however, was abandoned without a result due to rain.
The Lions are currently fourth in the standings, with three points from two matches. They have a healthy net run rate of +4.599. A victory on Tuesday would take them to the top of the standings with five points. Captain Rohit Paudel will be central to their campaign, while overseas players such as D’Arcy Short, Niroshan Dickwella and Ruben Trumpelmann add experience and firepower to the side.
Pokhara, on the other hand, have endured a disappointing start. They lost their opening match against Sudurpaschim Royals by six wickets before suffering a nine-run defeat against Janakpur Bolts. Despite posting competitive totals in both matches, the Avengers have been unable to turn their batting efforts into victories. They are currently at the bottom of the table without a point after two matches.
