The Lumbini Lions secured their place in Qualifier 2 of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 2 playoffs after a hard-fought four-wicket victory over the Kathmandu Gorkhas in a low-scoring Eliminator match at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground.
The Lions successfully chased down a modest target of 112 runs, bringing an end to the Kathmandu Gorkhas’ NPL campaign.
Gorkhas’ Collapse Sets Low Target
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Kathmandu Gorkhas’ innings was plagued by a devastating top-order collapse. They tumbled to a precarious 29 for 4 inside the powerplay, a deficit they never truly recovered from.
- Sher Malla and captain Rohit Paudel spearheaded the Lumbini attack, chipping in with three wickets each to break the back of the Gorkhas’ batting line-up.
- Despite late cameos from Santosh Yadav (23 off 17) and Mohammad Aadil Alam (18 off 11), the Gorkhas were ultimately bundled out for just 111 runs in 19.1 overs, setting a relatively soft target for the Lions.
Lions’ Measured Chase
In response, the Lumbini Lions adopted a composed approach to the chase, ensuring the required run rate remained well within their reach.
- Australian batter D’Arcy Short played the anchor role, top-scoring with a patient 33 runs off 34 balls to stabilize the innings after an early loss.
- Contributions from Sundeep Jora (23 off 23) and captain Rohit Paudel (18 off 25) kept the scoreboard ticking.
- The Lions did stumble slightly in the late stages but ultimately crossed the finishing line, reaching 112/6 in 17.4 overs.
The victory was sealed with a boundary, pushing the Lions into the next round of the playoffs and knocking the Kathmandu Gorkhas out of the tournament.
What’s Next
Lumbini Lions now advance to Qualifier 2, where they will face the Biratnagar Kings tomorrow, December 11, for a spot in the Grand Final of the Nepal Premier League.
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