By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Dec 13, 2025 13:10 PM • 34 views
KIRTIPUR — The Lumbini Lions have achieved one of the most significant turnarounds in Nepal Premier League history, rising from last place to champions.
In a decisive final, the Lions defeated the Sudur Paschim Royals by six wickets at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground on Saturday, securing their first Nepal Premier League title.
This victory capped a remarkable 2025-26 campaign for Lumbini, who finished last in the previous season. Riding a six-match winning streak, they defeated the Royals by chasing 86 runs in just nine overs.
Collapse of the Royals
The tone was set in the first innings after Sudur Paschim captain Dipendra Singh Airee won the toss and chose to bat, a decision that backfired. The Royals, runners-up for the second year in a row, crumbled under a disciplined and devastating bowling attack, folding for just 85 runs in 19.1 overs.
Lumbini captain Rohit Paudel played a pivotal role, claiming a hat-trick that dismantled the Royals’ middle order. He dismissed Airee, Dipak Bohara, and Puneet Mehra in consecutive deliveries, significantly weakening the Royals’ innings. Paudel finished with figures of 3 for 12, showing effective leadership. He was ably supported by Namibian pacer Ruben Trumpelmann, who took 3 wickets for just 3 runs in 2.1 overs. Trumpelmann mopped up the tail and kept the pressure high, ensuring the Royals never found a rhythm. The total of 85 is one of the lowest in NPL history, a nightmarish end to a season where the Royals had otherwise been dominant.
The Blitzkrieg Chase
Defending a total of 85 was a challenge, though the Royals briefly generated optimism. Hemant Dhami took two wickets in one over, dismissing D’Arcy Short (13) and Dinesh Adhikari in the fifth ball.
However, the damage had already been done. The outcome was largely determined by Adhikari’s aggressive start, as he scored 42 runs from 13 balls. His innings, which included five sixes and a four, ensured the Lions surpassed 50 runs within four overs. With wickets including Short and Adhikari, the result was never in doubt. Captain Paudel (16) and Niroshan Dickwella (11*) steered the team home, with Dilip Nath hitting the winning runs to spark wild celebrations in the Lions’ dugout.
This title win demonstrates the team's resilience. Last season, the Lumbini Lions finished last in the league. This year, despite early setbacks, they won six straight matches to secure the championship.The Lions demonstrated strong performances throughout their late-season surge, culminating in their most effective display during the final, which highlights their mental resilience.
For the Sudur Paschim Royals, it is a bitter pill to swallow. Being the best team in the league stages makes this outcome especially disappointing. Finishing first but losing in the final for two years in a row may indicate challenges in high-pressure matches. Their batting lineup, usually a strength, could not withstand the effective bowling of Paudel and Trumpelmann in the final.
