Lumbini storm into the playoffs, Janakpur eliminated with two others

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Dec 06, 2025

After failing to cross the league stage in last season’s Nepal Premier League (NPL), Lumbini Lions entered the 2025 edition with sweeping changes, from logo and jersey to coach and overseas recruits.

The transformation has finally paid off. Lumbini began the season with an opening-match win, but three consecutive defeats pushed them to the brink of elimination.

With just 2 points from 4 games, the team faced a virtual must-win situation in every remaining fixture. Rising to the challenge, Lumbini produced a remarkable comeback, winning their final three league matches to seal a place in the playoffs.

In Friday’s decisive clash against Janakpur Bolts, captain Rohit Paudel delivered a match-winning all-round performance, scoring 34 runs and taking 2 wickets earning the Player of the Match award, which he dedicated to his mother.

Lumbini chased down Janakpur’s 132-run target with composure despite a few late wickets. Overseas recruit Niroshan Dickwella, brought in mid-tournament to replace Gulbadin Naib, once again stabilized the middle order, while JJ Smit added a crucial 21 runs.

Rohit said the team always believed a comeback was possible, noting that net run rate would not affect their chances. He added that Lumbini appear the strongest among the teams qualifying for the playoffs.

Lumbini’s resurgence began after squad adjustments before their fifth match. Dickwella’s arrival strengthened the middle order, and reshuffling the batting lineup, including moving Sundeep Jora back to his natural middle-order role which immediately paid dividends.

Wins over Pokhara Avengers and Biratnagar Kings revived their campaign and set up the decisive clash against Janakpur.

Defending champions Janakpur Bolts endured a disastrous season, finishing with just one win from six matches. Despite using seven overseas players and changing captains twice, the team never found rhythm.

Their final outing reflected the same struggles: a top-order collapse, a below-par total of 132, and sloppy fielding with multiple dropped catches and mis-takes behind the stumps.

Acting captain Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton admitted the team fell short in all departments, from batting to bowling and fielding. Janakpur’s defeat not only knocked them out but also eliminated two other teams, as Lumbini’s victory closed all remaining playoff permutations.

With three straight wins and strong momentum, Lumbini now head into the Eliminator, where they will face either Kathmandu Gorkhas or Biratnagar Kings as one of the most confident sides in the tournament.