NPL Season 2 brings exciting news for cricket fans as Lumbini Lions claimed their first Nepal Premier League title with a commanding six-wicket victory over Sudurpaschim Royals in the final. The tournament ran from November 17 to December 13, 2025, at Kirtipur, marking the second season of Nepal’s premier cricket league.
This complete review covers everything you need to know about the Nepal Premier League season 2, including championship results, player awards, records broken, and key moments that defined the tournament. The competition featured eight city-based teams battling across 32 matches for cricket glory.
Lumbini Lions: The New Champions
The final saw Sudurpaschim dismissed for a record-low 85 runs before Lumbini sealed a one-sided chase in just nine overs. This marks the lowest total ever posted by a team batting first in NPL history.
What makes this victory special is the team’s incredible turnaround. Lumbini finished bottom of the table last season with six defeats from seven matches. They entered the playoffs by winning their final three league matches and then defeated Kathmandu Gorkhas and Biratnagar Kings to reach the final.
Final Match Highlights
The final was dominated by outstanding performances:
- Rohit Paudel’s Hat-Trick: The captain’s hat-trick in the 11th over removed Dipendra Singh Airee, Deepak Bohara and Puneet Mehra in successive deliveries
- Explosive Chase: Dinesh Adhikari scored 42 runs off only 13 balls, including four massive sixes in the opening over
- Six Straight Wins: Lumbini won six consecutive matches to claim the title
NPL Season 2 Awards Winners
The tournament recognized outstanding individual performances with several prestigious awards:
| Award Category | Winner | Team | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arghakhanchi Cement Golden Cap for the Leading Wicket Taker | Sandeep Lamichhane (17 wkts) | Biratnagar Kings | Rs. 50,000 |
| Presindential Graduate School Platinum Cap for the Leading Run Scorer | Adam Rossington (323 runs) | Pokhara Avengers | Rs. 50,000 |
| Pulsar Emerging Player of the Tournament | Sher Malla (17 wkts) | Lumbini Lions | Pulsar Bike |
| Pulsar Highest Wicket Taker of the Tournament | Sandeep Lamichhane (17 wkts) | Biratnagar Kings | Pulsar Bike |
| Pulsar Highest Run Scorer of the Tournament (Nepali) | Rohit Kumar Paudel (276 runs) | Lumbini Lions | Pulsar Bike |
| RedBull Energetic Player of the Tournament | Abinash Bohara (17 wkts) | Sudurpaschim Royals | Rs. 2,00,000 |
| Ncell Super 4’s of the Tournament | Adam Rossington (31 fours) | Pokhara Avengers | Rs. 2,00,000 |
| Omoda Electrifying Player of the Tournament | Rohit Kumar Paudel | Lumbini Lions | Jaecoo J5 |
| Siddhartha Bank Player of the Tournament | Ruben Trumpelmann (15 wkts) | Lumbini Lions | Rs. 5,00,000 |
| MCC Spirit of Cricket Award | Kathmandu Gorkhas |
Top Performers Statistics
- Most Runs: Adam Rossington (Pokhara Avengers) finished as the highest run-scorer with 323 runs
- Most Wickets: Sandeep Lamichhane, Sher Malla, and Abinash Bohara each claimed 17 wickets
- Top Nepali Batsman: Rohit Paudel scored 276 runs while Binod Bhandari finished second among Nepali players with 264 runs
Rohit Paudel: The Star of NPL Season 2
Nepal national cricket team captain Rohit Paudel emerged as the most awarded player of NPL Season 2. His all-round performance was exceptional:
- Led Lumbini Lions to their first title
- Scored 276 runs (2nd highest overall)
- Took 10 wickets including a hat-trick in the final
- Won Best Nepali Player and Best Batter awards
- Received an Omoda car
“The journey from a poor start to becoming champions felt unreal” – Rohit Paudel after winning the final
Key Takeaways from NPL 2025
1. Competitive Balance Improved
The tournament showed that any team can win on their day, with last season’s bottom team becoming champions.
2. Local Talent Shined
Nepali players like Rohit Paudel, Binod Bhandari, and Sandeep Lamichhane proved they can compete at the highest level alongside international stars.
3. Record-Breaking Final
The final created history with the lowest total in NPL cricket, showing how pressure can affect even the best teams.
4. Growing Popularity
The league featured international stars like Faf du Plessis, Martin Guptill, Rashid Khan, etc. increasing its global appeal.
5. Sudurpaschim’s Heartbreak Continues
Sudurpaschim’s wait for an NPL title continues despite consistent final appearances, losing their second consecutive final.
Tournament Format and Structure
The Nepal Premier League season 2 followed a well-organized format:
- League Stage: 28 matches in round-robin format
- Teams: 8 franchise teams representing different cities
- Playoffs: Top 4 teams qualified for knockout stages
- Venue: All matches at TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
- Duration: November 17 – December 13, 2025
Looking Ahead
The success of NPL season 2 shows that cricket in Nepal is growing rapidly. The tournament provided entertainment, discovered new talents, and gave fans memorable moments. With better organization and increased prize money, the future looks bright for Nepal cricket.
Conclusion
Overall this season we saw how Lumbini Lions’ remarkable journey from last place to champions captured hearts across Nepal. Their dominant final victory, led by captain Rohit Paudel’s brilliant all-round performance, will be remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in Nepali cricket history.
The tournament proved that the Nepal Premier League is becoming an important platform for both local and international cricketers. With exciting matches, record-breaking performances, and passionate fans, NPL season 2 set new standards for cricket in Nepal. As we look forward to future seasons, one thing is clear: Nepali cricket is moving in the right direction.
FAQs
Who won NPL Season 2?
Lumbini Lions won their first NPL title by defeating Sudurpaschim Royals by 6 wickets in the final on December 13, 2025.
Who was the Player of the Tournament in NPL 2025?
Ruben Trumpelmann of Lumbini Lions was named Player of the Series, while Rohit Paudel won Best Nepali Player award along with an Omoda car.
What was the lowest score in NPL Season 2?
Sudurpaschim Royals scored 85 all out in the final, which is the lowest total ever in NPL history by a team batting first.
Who scored the most runs in NPL Season 2?
Adam Rossington from Pokhara Avengers scored 323 runs, making him the highest run-scorer of the tournament.
Who took the most wickets in NPL 2025?
Three bowlers shared the top spot with 17 wickets each: Sandeep Lamichhane, Sher Malla, and Abinash Bohara.
