Trumpelmann, Naib star in Lumbini's winning start

Lumbini Lions opened their Nepal Premier League (NPL) campaign with a convincing win over Chitwan Rhinos on Thursday, repeating the same result they had produced against Chitwan in the previous edition. 

Last season, Lumbini had finished at the bottom of the table with just one victory, which was also against Chitwan; but this time they began the tournament on a far stronger note. 

Chasing a modest target of 143 runs, Lumbini finished comfortably with 145-4, winning by 6 wickets.

The win was shaped largely by the performances of Lumbini’s overseas players. Namibian left-arm pacer Ruben Trumpelmann delivered a match-defining spell, while Afghanistan allrounder Gulbadin Naib contributed significantly with both bat and ball. 

Chitwan once again relied heavily on Ravi Bopara, who produced a patient half-century but received little support from the rest of the batting lineup. In the process, he ended up scoring one of the slowest fifties in NPL history, taking 45 balls to reach the mark. 

Without contributions from others, Chitwan struggled to post a competitive total. The team’s frustration grew as a few umpiring calls also appeared controversial. 

Trumpelmann dismantled Chitwan early, dismissing England’s power-hitter Dawid Malan for a golden duck with the very first ball. He returned later to remove captain Kushal Malla in the 16th over and Saif Ali Zaib in the 19th. In a striking coincidence, all three dismissed batters were left-handers, falling to the left-arm quick. 

His four-over spell yielded three wickets for just 23 runs, earning him the Player of the Match award. 

Spinner Abhishes Gautam added to Chitwan’s troubles with an economical spell, conceding only 15 runs in three overs while taking two wickets. He removed opener Deepak Bohora in the fourth over and Dev Khanal in the eighth, tightening Lumbini’s grip on the match.

Naib, too, played a crucial role. He picked up two wickets in the 20th over, dismissing set batter Bopara and Sohail Tanvir before turning the game decisively with the bat. 

Coming in at 81 for 3, he smashed an unbeaten 44 off 24 balls, hitting three sixes and three fours. His 60-run stand with captain Rohit Paudel lifted Lumbini out of a tricky phase and took the game beyond Chitwan’s reach. 

Paudel played a slower, anchoring innings, but Naib’s acceleration ensured a comfortable chase.

Lumbini captain Paudel praised his bowlers afterward, noting the strong start from Trumpelmann and the control shown by Abhishes. He also credited Naib for his allround impact. 

For Chitwan, little went right. Apart from Bopara, none of the batters settled, and the early loss of two wickets forced the side into a cautious rebuild that never gained momentum. 

The middle order failed to accelerate, and the finish was below par. While Rijan Dhakal struck twice in the powerplay, Chitwan’s bowling lacked consistency, leaking boundaries due to poor lines and lapses in the field. 

Fielding errors; dropped catches and misfields made matters worse for the Rhinos. A contentious umpiring decision further added to their frustration. 

In the 14th over, wicketkeeper Arjun Saud appealed for a stumping against Paudel. Replays appeared to show Paudel’s foot lifted off the ground, but after a lengthy review, TV umpire ruled him not out. 

Chitwan players were visibly surprised, sensing the moment could have shifted the match. Bopara later admitted that the team had fallen short with the bat, saying the total they posted was never likely to be enough. He also expressed disappointment with some of the umpiring decisions. 

Paudel, while acknowledging the inconsistencies, urged for collective improvement rather than individual blame. 

With strong performances from their overseas stars and disciplined contributions across the board, Lumbini started the new season far more confidently than they ended the last, while Chitwan were left to reflect on a match where little went their way.