NPL 2025: Lumbini Lions Into Qualifier 2

Kathmandu, Dec 10: Lumbini Lions have entered the Qualifier 2 of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2025, defeating Kathmandu Gorkhas by 4 wickets.

In the eliminator match held at TU International Cricket Ground earlier today, Lumbini surpassed the victory target of 112 runs set by Kathmandu in 17.4 overs at the loss of 6 wickets.

For Lumbini's victory D'Arcy Short scored 33 runs in 34 balls, followed by Sundeep Jora who scored 23 runs in 23 balls. Likewise, Captain Rohit Paudel and Niroshan Dickwella scored 18 and 14 runs respectively.

For the bowling side, Santosh Yadav took 2 wickets, while Karan KC, Sunny Patel, Shahab Alam and Rashid Khan took 1 wicket each.

Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, Kathmandu Gorkhas were able to score only 111 runs in 19.1 overs, losing all their wickets.

Santosh Yadav top-scored with 23 runs in 17 balls while John Simpson and Mohammad Aadil Alam scored 18 runs each. Bhim Sharki contributed 14 runs in 16 balls.

In restricting Kathmandu to a meagre total, Sher Malla took 3 wickets in his full quota of 4 overs, giving away 22 runs. This feat also earned him the player-of-the-match award.

Captain Rohit Paudel also took 3 wickets while Ruben Trumpelmann took 2 wickets.

With the win today, Lumbini Lions will face Biratnagar Kings in the second qualifier to be held at the same ground tomorrow. Biratnagar lost to Sudurpaschim Kings by 77 runs in the Qualifier 1 held on Tuesday.

After defeating Biratnagar in Qualifier 1, Sudurpaschim has booked a place in the final, and will play the winner of tomorrow's match. The final is scheduled to take place at the same venue on coming Saturday.