Lumbini Lions began the defence of their Nepal Premier League (NPL) title with a seven-wicket win over Sudurpaschim Royals on Monday, October 26. The match was played at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
Lumbini bowled the Royals out for 87 in 17.2 overs, then reached 88 for 3 in 9.5 overs. They won with 61 balls to spare.
The Royals fall apart
Lumbini captain Rohit Kumar Paudel won the toss and chose to field. His bowlers took four wickets in the powerplay, and Sudurpaschim never built a partnership.
Royals captain Dipendra Singh Airee top-scored with 27 off 23 balls. Anil Kharel stayed not out on 15 and Saif Zaib made 13. Only three batters reached double figures, and extras added 10.
Kishor Mahato took 4 for 22. He dismissed Aarif Sheikh, Brandon McMullen, Airee and Hemant Dhami, with Airee and Dhami going on consecutive balls, which left him close to a hat-trick. Sher Malla took 3 for 11, removing Binod Bhandari, Sherfane Rutherford and Scott Kuggeleijn, and was named Player of the Match.
Shadley van Schalkwyk (1 for 19), Tilak Bhandari (1 for 18) and Paudel (1 for 10) took one wicket each.
A fast chase
Lumbini made 70 in the six-over powerplay, which settled the match. Australian batter D’Arcy Short scored 40 off 18 balls with four fours and three sixes. Aasif Sheikh made 32 off 25 with two fours and two sixes.
Kharel was the Royals’ best bowler, taking 2 for 9 in two overs. He dismissed both Short and Aasif. Airee got Niroshan Dickwella, who made 7. Paudel hit the winning boundary and finished on 5 not out, with Shamim Hossain on 1.
DRS makes its debut
This was the first match in Nepal’s domestic cricket to use the Decision Review System (DRS). It lets teams challenge some on-field decisions using video and tracking technology. The match coverage notes four reviews:
- Saif Zaib: Lumbini’s appeal against him failed, and the not-out decision stood.
- Aarif Sheikh: a dismissal was overturned after he reviewed it.
- Scott Kuggeleijn: a review by Paudel changed a not-out decision to out. Match coverage describes it as leg before wicket.
- Niroshan Dickwella: his leg-before dismissal was overturned after the review showed the ball had touched his glove.
DRS changed decisions in both innings, and at least one review failed.
Background
Lumbini won the 2025 final against Sudurpaschim after finishing fourth in the league stage.
What happens next
Two more matches are on Tuesday, October 27. Biratnagar Kings play Chitwan Rhinos at 12:30 p.m., and Karnali Yaks play Janakpur Bolts at 5 p.m., both Nepal time. The tournament runs until November 21.
