NPL playoff line-up finalized

KATHMANDU: With three matches still remaining in the league stage, the four playoff teams for the Nepal Premier League (NPL) have been confirmed.

The remaining fixtures will now only determine the final rankings of the top four teams.

Among them, Sudurpaschim Royals have already secured the top position and a place in the first qualifier.

Lumbini Lions became the fourth and final team to enter the playoffs after defeating defending champions Janakpur Bolts by four wickets on Friday.

With this result, the playoff hopes of Janakpur Bolts, Chitwan Rhinos, and Pokhara Avengers officially came to an end. Karnali Yaks had already been eliminated earlier.

Janakpur, last season’s champions, still have one match left but remain rooted at the bottom of the table with just 2 points from the league campaign — a disappointing outcome for the title holders.

Current Standings

• Sudurpaschim Royals: 12 points

• Kathmandu Gorkhas: 10 points

• Biratnagar Kings: 8 points

• Lumbini Lions: 8 points

Lumbini Chase Down 133 with One Ball to Spare

Chasing a target of 133 at the TU Cricket Ground, Lumbini reached 136/6 in 19.1 overs. Dilip Nath (15*) and Ruben Trumpelmann (6*) guided the team safely home, with Nath sealing the win by hitting a six.

Opener Sumit Maharjan was dismissed for a duck off his first ball by Sangeeth Cooray.

D’Arcy Short contributed a quick 30 off 24 balls with one four and two sixes before falling lbw to Cooray.

Captain Rohit Paudel made 34 off 32 deliveries, including two fours and one six, before being dismissed by Mayan Yadav.

Sundeep Jora was out for zero, while JJ Smit added 21 off 19 balls. Kore was the standout bowler for Janakpur, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs.

Janakpur’s Innings: Cooray Leads with the Bat

Winning the toss, Janakpur opted to bat and posted 132/6 in 20 overs. Sangeeth Cooray top-scored with 45 off 38 balls, hitting two fours and a six.

Opener Maaz Sadaqat managed only 6 runs, while fellow opener Aasif Sheikh added 20 off 17.

Anil Sah was dismissed for 7, and Subash Khakurel fell for 11. Sanjay Krishnamurthi chipped in with 14 runs, while Mayan Yadav contributed a useful 27.

For Lumbini, Sher Malla took 2 wickets for 20 runs, and skipper Rohit Paudel also claimed 2 wickets for 15 runs.

Captains React

Lumbini captain Rohit Paudel expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance and their emotional journey this season.

“The team had confidence. Every player played their role. This win belongs to the entire squad,” Paudel said. “Last season didn’t go as planned — we finished at the bottom. This year we wanted to prove ourselves, and I feel the team has made a strong comeback.”

Janakpur skipper Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton admitted disappointment as the defending champions failed to reach the playoffs.

“We didn’t get the start we wanted, though we still managed a competitive score,” he said. “Our bowling didn’t hold up the way we hoped. Missing the playoffs as defending champions is disappointing. In our last match, we’ll play for our supporters and our pride.”