Lumbini Lions open title defence by bowling out Sudurpaschim for 87
Kishore Mahato took four wickets and D'Arcy Short hit 40 off 18 as the champions won the NPL 2026 opener by seven wickets with 61 balls to spare.
Defending champions Lumbini Lions started the third Nepal Premier League with a rematch of last season's final, and won it easily. They beat Sudurpaschim Royals by seven wickets with 61 balls to spare at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Monday.
Sudurpaschim Royals 87 all out (17.2 overs). Lumbini Lions 91/3 (9.5 overs).
How it went
Sudurpaschim lost the toss, were sent in and never settled. Kishore Mahato took 4 for 28 and Sher Malla took 3 for 11, each from four overs. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee made the top score of 27 off 23 balls. Anil Kharel added 15 not out and Saif Zaib 13.
Chasing 88, D'Arcy Short made 40 off 18 balls with four fours and three sixes, and put on 71 in 6.2 overs with Aasif Sheikh, who scored 32. Anil Kharel took two wickets and Airee one for Sudurpaschim, but the chase was over before the halfway mark.
Next
Sudurpaschim face Pokhara Avengers on 28 October. Lumbini play Chitwan Rhinos on 31 October. All NPL fixtures.
