Lumbini Lions clinched the last remaining playoff berth of this year’s Nepal Premier League (NPL) after defeating defending champions Janakpur Bolts by four wickets at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Friday, December 5.
The Lions finish the league stage with eight points from seven matches. They currently stand fourth on the table and will enter the eliminator as the third or fourth-placed side depending upon the result of the match between Sudurpaschim Royals and Biratnagar Kings.
Lumbini had endured the worst run in the first NPL season, finishing at the bottom with a single win.
The Royals, who top the table, have already secured a place in Qualifier 1. They remain the only unbeaten team this season with six wins in six matches.
Kathmandu Gorkhas sit second with 10 points from seven matches. The Kings, who are also through to the playoffs, are currently third with eight points and a better net run rate than Lumbini.
Saturday’s fixture between Sudurpaschim and Biratnagar will decide the line-up for the first qualifier and the eliminator. A Sudurpaschim win will keep Kathmandu in second place and send the Gorkhas into Qualifier 1 against the Royals. If Biratnagar win, they will also reach 10 points, and net run rate will determine which side finishes second and third.
The top two teams contest Qualifier 1. The winner advances straight to the NPL final, scheduled for December 13. The loser gets a second chance by facing the winner of the eliminator between the third- and fourth-placed teams.
Meanwhile, Friday’s result ended the playoff hopes of Janakpur, Chitwan Rhinos and Pokhara Avengers. Karnali Yaks were already out.
Lumbini chased the 133-run target in 19.1 overs. Dilip Nath sealed the win with a six off the first ball of the 20th over, bowled by Sanjay Krishnamurthi, when the Lions needed only three. Nath made 15 off 13. Ruben Trumpelmann remained unbeaten on 6 off 5.
Despite losing opener Sumit Maharjan to the first ball of the innings, D’Arcy Short and Rohit Paudel steadied the chase with a 61-run stand for the second wicket. Short made 30 off 24 before falling in the eighth over. Paudel scored 34 off 32 before losing his wicket to Mayan Yadav in the 12th over. Sundeep Jora fell for a golden duck, and the Lions slipped to 84 for 4 at the end of the 12th over.
Niroshan Dickwella struck 17 off 20. JJ Smit added 21 off 19. Janakpur’s fielding lapses and missed chances helped Lumbini ease towards the modest target.
Sangeeth Cooray took three wickets for the Bolts, while Mayan Yadav claimed two and Sanjay Krishnamurthi picked up one.
Earlier, Janakpur captain Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton – their third skipper this season – won the toss and chose to bat. Sangeeth Cooray made an unbeaten 45 off 38 to help the Bolts put a modest total on the board. The rest of the top and middle order failed to build partnerships. Janakpur lost wickets at 6, 26, 35, 53, 83 and 83, with Loftie-Eaton falling for a golden duck. Mayan Yadav remained not out on 27 off 23. Opener Maaz Sadaqat made 6. Asif Sheikh added 20 off 17. Anil Sah managed only 7 off 10. Shubh Kansakar made 11 off 15. Sanjay Krishnamurthi contributed 14 off 11.
Sher Malla and Rohit Paudel took two wickets each. JJ Smit and Ruben Trumpelmann claimed one apiece. Paudel was named player of the match for his all-round display.
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