Lumbini Lions defeated Sudurpaschim Royals by 7 wickets In NPL 2026 Opener
Lumbini Lions kick off NPL 2026 in style, defeating Sudurpaschim Royals by 8 wickets! Chasing a target of 88, the Lions never looked under pressure and cruised to a comfortable victory with 9 wickets to spare. After winning the toss, Lumbini Lions captain Rohit Paudel opted to bowl first. Sudurpaschim Royals were bowled out for 87 in 17.2 overs, with right-arm pacer Kishore Mahato leading the attack with figures of 4/28 in four overs. Off-spinner Sher Malla also impressed, picking up three wickets for just 10 runs in his three overs.
Sudurpaschim Royals struggled with the bat, losing four wickets in the powerplay and never managing to recover. They were eventually bowled out for 87 in 17.2 overs, with Kishore Mahato and Sher Malla leading Lumbini Lions’ bowling attack.
Malla struck first, trapping Binod Bhandari lbw in the fourth over. Mahato then took over, dismissing Aarif Sheikh for a duck and Brandon McMullen for just two in the same over to leave Sudurpaschim in early trouble.
Saif Zaib, returning to the side, managed 13 off 14 balls, hitting two boundaries before Shadley van Schalkwyk sent him back in the sixth over. Tilak Bhandari added to Sudurpaschim’s problems by dismissing Ishan Pandey for seven in the ninth over.
Malla continued to trouble the batters, removing Sherfane Rutherford for one and Scott Kuggeleijn for a duck. Mahato then struck twice in consecutive deliveries, bowling captain Dipendra Singh Airee and Hemant Dhami to move within one wicket of a hat-trick.
Airee was the top scorer for Sudurpaschim, making 27 off 23 balls with two fours, while Dhami failed to get off the mark.
Lumbini captain Rohit Paudel wrapped up the innings by bowling Abhinash Bohara, leaving Anil Kharel unbeaten on 15 as Sudurpaschim were dismissed for 87. Mahato finished with impressive figures of 4/28 from four overs, while Malla claimed 3/10 in three overs to put Lumbini firmly in control of the NPL 2026 season opener.
Interestingly, Lumbini Lions defeated Sudurpaschim Royals in the final of second edition of Nepal Premier League by six wickets to win the title.