Kirtipur:Defending champions Lumbini Lions showcased a dominant performance in the opening match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026, defeating Sudurpaschim Royals by seven wickets at the TU International Cricket Ground.
According to National News Agency RSS, Lumbini Lions, led by Rohit Paudel, opted to bat first after winning the toss and successfully restricted Sudurpaschim Royals to just 87 runs, dismissing them in 17.2 overs. Key performances with the ball came from Sher Malla, who took three wickets including the crucial dismissal of Sudurpaschim’s captain Binod Bhandari, and Kishore Mahato, who claimed four wickets in total.
On the batting front, Lumbini Lions chased down the target of 88 runs in just 9.5 overs. D’Arcy Shot led the charge with a blistering 40 runs off 18 balls, and his opening partner Aasif Sheikh contributed 32 runs off 25 balls. Niroshan Dickwell added 7 runs to the total, ensuring a smooth victory for the Lions.
The NPL, a franchise-based T20 cricket tournament organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal, features eight teams, including the likes of Karnali Yaks and Kathmandu Gorkhas. This edition of the tournament is the first to be recognized by the International Cricket Council and includes the use of the Decision Review System.
The tournament was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who handed over the match ball to the umpire before the Lumbini Lions’ victorious opening match against Sudurpaschim Royals.