NPL 2025: 14 half-centuries, one century so far; Sudurpaschim leads points table

KATHMANDU: Fourteen matches have concluded in the ongoing Nepal Premier League (NPL), which began on Mangsir 1 at the Tribhuvan International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur.

The tournament has so far produced 14 half-centuries and a single century, but no Nepali player has scored a century yet this season.

Of the 14 half-centuries, five have been scored by Nepali players, while the remaining nine were made by foreign players.

Sudurpaschim Royals lead in individual half-centuries with three, followed by two each from Biratnagar Kings, Pokhara Avengers, and Janakpur Bolts.

Chitwan Rhinos and Karnali Yaks have one each. Among individual performers, Chitwan’s foreign player Ravi Bopara tops the list with three half-centuries.

Pokhara captain and national team opener Kushal Bhurtel has scored two half-centuries.

Other notable performances include Sudurpaschim’s binod Bhandari, foreign players Hermit Singh and Josh Brown, Janakpur’s Aasif Sheikh, foreign player Wayne Parnell, Biratnagar’s Lokesh Bam and Martin Guptill, and Karnali’s Priyank Panchal, each scoring one half-century.

The only century of the tournament so far was scored by Karnali’s foreign player Mark Watt, who remained unbeaten on 114 against Lumbini, reaching his century in just 41 balls — the fastest in NPL history.

Watt also holds the record for the highest individual score in the current season.

In the first edition of the NPL, Pokhara’s Andrius Gaus had scored a century (104 runs off 54 balls) against Lumbini.

Points Table: Sudurpaschim Unbeaten, Janakpur Struggling

Sudurpaschim Royals remain unbeaten with four wins and eight points, topping the points table under the captaincy of Dipendra Singh Airee. Last season’s runner-up is well on track for the playoffs.

In contrast, defending champions Janakpur Bolts, led by Anil Shah, have lost all three of their matches and remain without points, making their playoff chances slim.

Biratnagar Kings, captained by Sandeep Lamichhane, sit second with eight points from four games, while Chitwan Rhinos, under Kushal Malla, have four points from three matches and are also in contention.

Kathmandu is fourth with two wins in four matches under Karan KC, while Karnali Yaks (Sompal Kami) and Pokhara Avengers (Kushal Bhurtel) are fifth and sixth, respectively, with two points each, needing wins in remaining matches to keep playoff hopes alive.

Lumbini Lions, led by Rohit Paudel, are seventh with one win from four games and face a tough path to the playoffs.

Top Performers and Team Stats

Ravi Bopara of Chitwan Rhinos leads the tournament in runs with 183, while Viratnagar captain Sandeep Lamichhane tops the wicket-takers list with nine wickets.

Biratnagar Kings have also posted the highest team total this season, scoring 220 against Pokhara — the highest in NPL history.

Sudurpaschim Royals follow with 193 runs against Pokhara. Karnali Yaks have recorded the lowest team total, being bowled out for 94 against Sudurpaschim.

The NPL 2025, organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), will continue until Mangsir 27 with participation from eight teams.