KATHMANDU, Dec 13: Lumbini Lions clinched their maiden Nepal Premier League (NPL) title with a commanding six-wicket victory over Sudurpaschim Royals in the final of the tournament’s second season at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, on Saturday.
A superb bowling performance led by captain Rohit Kumar Paudel, who claimed a sensational hat-trick, saw Sudurpaschim bundled out for just 85 runs in 19.1 overs after opting to bat first. It marked the first time Sudurpaschim failed to cross the 100-run mark in the NPL and stands as the lowest total ever posted by a team batting first in league history.
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Lumbini’s chase was swift and emphatic, powered by Dinesh Adhikari, who struck four sixes in the opening over. The Lions reached the target in just nine overs, making the final a one-sided affair.
With the defeat, Sudurpaschim were forced to settle for runners-up honours for the second consecutive season, having also lost the inaugural final to Janakpur Bolts by five wickets last year.
Lumbini completed an impressive title run by winning six matches in a row, equalling Sudurpaschim’s record of six consecutive victories set earlier in the season. Sudurpaschim had opened the tournament with six straight wins before suffering their first loss to Biratnagar Kings, whom they later defeated in Qualifier 1 to reach the final. Lumbini, meanwhile, secured a playoff berth by winning their final three league matches and went on to beat Kathmandu Gorkhaz in the Eliminator and Biratnagar Kings in Qualifier 2 to seal a place in the final.
The triumph marked a dramatic turnaround for Lumbini, who finished bottom of the table last season with six defeats from seven matches, while Sudurpaschim’s wait for an NPL title continues despite consistent final appearances.
