KATHMANDU, Dec 14: Lumbini Lions completed a fairytale run to lift their maiden Nepal Premier League (NPL) title after a dominant six-wicket victory over Sudurpashchim Royals in the final at the TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, on Saturday.
The triumph marked a disappointing repeat for Sudurpashchim, who suffered their second consecutive defeat in the NPL final. They had finished runners-up in the inaugural season as well, losing to Janakpur Bolts, who failed to reach the playoffs this season.
Despite impressive performances throughout the league stage and the first qualifier, Sudurpashchim once again faltered in the title clash. Expectations of a closely fought final were high, given Sudurpashchim’s consistency and Lumbini’s strong momentum in the latter stages, but the match turned out to be a one-sided affair in Lumbini’s favor.
Lumbini Lions crowned NPL season 2 champions, Sudurpaschim fall...
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Sudurpashchim’s decision backfired badly as they were bundled out for just 85 runs in 19.1 overs. Lumbini chased down the modest target in only nine overs, losing four wickets in the process.
Lumbini got off to a flying start, scoring 27 runs in the opening over. Opener Dinesh Adhikari set the tone with an explosive knock, smashing five sixes and a four on his way to 42 off just 13 balls. Darcy Short added 11 runs, while Niroshan Dickwella remained unbeaten on 11. Captain Rohit Paudel was dismissed for 16, and Sandeep Jora also fell late in the chase, though their victory was never in doubt.
With this innings, Paudel surpassed Binod Bhandari to become Nepal’s leading run-scorer in the tournament, finishing with 276 runs compared to Bhandari’s 264. Pokhara Avengers’ Adam Rossington topped the batting charts overall with 323 runs.
Earlier, Sudurpashchim struggled from the outset with the bat as opener Binod Bhandari was dismissed for a duck. Ishan Pandey top-scored with a patient 33 off 51 balls, which included just one boundary. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee scored 13, while Harmit Singh and Scott Kuggeleijn chipped in with 10 runs each. No other batter reached double figures.
Lumbini captain Paudel delivered a decisive spell, claiming a hat-trick in the 11th over by dismissing Dipendra Singh Airee, Deepak Bohara and Punit Mehra on consecutive deliveries. Deepak and Mehra were both dismissed without scoring, further collapsing Sudurpashchim’s innings.
Namibian pacer Ruben Trumpelmann and spinner Sher Malla applied early pressure, continuing their fine form from the playoffs. Sher, Trumpelmann and Paudel picked up three wickets each, while Tilak Bhandari claimed one. Sher conceded just 18 runs in four overs, Trumpelmann gave away only three runs in 2.1 overs, and Paudel finished with figures of three for 12.
Sher ended the season as one of the joint highest wicket-takers with 17 wickets, alongside Sandeep Lamichhane and Avinash Bohara.
With this victory, Lumbini received Rs 10.1 million in prize money, while runners-up Sudurpashchim settled for Rs 5.1 million.
