Lumbini complete dream run to lift NPL title as Sudurpaschim fail again

Lumbini Lions crowned themselves new champions of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) with a commanding victory over defending runners-up Sudurpaschim Royals in the final in Kathmandu on Wednesday. 

The win ended a remarkable turnaround for Lumbini, while Sudurpaschim were left to endure the disappointment of finishing runners-up for the second consecutive season. 

After a dominant bowling display led by captains Rohit Paudel and Ruben Trumpelmann, and supported by Sher Malla, Lumbini bundled Sudurpaschim out for just 85 in 19.1 overs at the TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. 

The modest target of 86 was then chased down in just nine overs, with Lumbini reaching it at the loss of four wickets to seal the title in emphatic fashion. 

Lumbini’s title triumph was the culmination of a stunning resurgence. After winning their opening match against Chitwan Rhinos, they slipped into trouble with three consecutive defeats and were at one point close to an early exit in the league stage. However, they regrouped impressively, stringing together six consecutive wins, including the final, to complete a fairytale run to the championship. 

The chase was set alight by opener Dinesh Adhikari, who launched a ferocious assault in the very first over, smashing Sudurpaschim captain Dipendra Singh Airee for four sixes as Lumbini raced to 27 runs. Adhikari continued his onslaught, scoring a blistering 42 off just 13 balls, with one four and five sixes, and virtually ended the contest inside the Powerplay. 

Adhikari added 58 runs for the first wicket with D'Arcy Short in just four overs before Hemant Dhami struck twice in the fifth over to briefly check Lumbini’s momentum. Shrestha was bowled for 13 off 14 balls, while Adhikari fell soon after, caught by Scott Kuggeleijn at mid-off. 

Captain Rohit Paudel contributed 16 from 12 balls, while Niroshan Dickwella remained unbeaten on 11, and Dilip Nath hit the winning runs. 

Earlier, Sudurpaschim’s batting collapsed under relentless pressure from Lumbini’s bowlers. Their total of 85 was the lowest ever in an NPL final and the joint fourth-lowest score in the tournament’s history. 

Only Ishan Pandey showed resistance, top-scoring with 33 runs off 51 balls, anchoring the innings as wickets fell around him. Pandey added 25 runs for the fourth wicket with captain Dipendra, who scored 13 off 20 balls. Harmeet Singh and Scott Kuggeleijn chipped in with 10 runs each, but Sudurpaschim never recovered from their steady loss of wickets. 

Lumbini’s bowling was ruthless. Trumpelmann, Paudel and Sher Malla claimed three wickets apiece. Paudel was the standout, completing a hat-trick in the 11th over as he dismissed Dipendra Singh Airee, Dipak Bohara and Punit Mehra in successive deliveries, finishing with figures of 3 for 12 from four overs. 

Trumpelmann was excellently economical, taking 3 for 3 in 2.1 overs, while Sher Malla returned 3 for 18 from four overs. 

The comprehensive win not only crowned Lumbini as NPL champions for the first time but also marked one of the most dramatic comebacks in the league’s short history, while Sudurpaschim were once again left to rue a missed opportunity on the biggest stage.