Lions oust Kings, set up title clash with Royals

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 12: Lumbini Lions kept their winning run intact with a 40-run victory over Biratnagar Kings in Qualifier Two on Thursday, setting up a final clash with Sudur Paschim Royals at the Nepal Premier League 2025.

Rohit Paudel’s side produced another strong bowling display to extend their winning streak to five matches.

Chasing 135, Biratnagar were bowled out for just 94 runs in 17.5 overs — their second batting collapse in succession after losing Qualifier One to Sudur Paschim. As in that match, they lost three quick wickets for six runs in the second over.

Ruben Trumplemann struck early, dismissing Martin Guptill for 2 on the fifth ball, with JJ Smith taking the catch. On the last ball of the same over, Trumplemann trapped Lokesh Bam lbw. Sher Malla then bowled Faf du Plessis on the second ball of the next over.

Biratnagar managed only 28 runs in the powerplay, losing three wickets. At 6.3 overs, Tilak Bhandari bowled Shankar Rana for 7. Sam Hazlett, who top-scored with 34, was caught by Durgesh Gupta off JJ Smith at 10 overs, leaving Biratnagar 58 for 5.

At 11.5 overs, Basir Ahmed (3) was caught by Trumplemann off Tilak’s bowling. At 12.5 overs, Sandeep Lamichhane was dismissed for 3, caught by Sandeep Jora off Abhishek Gautam. Merchant de Lange, who made 17, was stumped by Niroshan Dickwella off Abhishek at 14.2 overs. Narayan Bhatt contributed 21, the team’s second-highest score, before being caught by D’Arcy Short off Tilak at 15.5 overs. JJ Smith claimed the final wicket at 17.5 overs.

Tilak finished with 3 wickets, while Trumplemann, JJ Smith and Abhishek Gautam took 2 each, and Sher Malla added 1.

Earlier, invited to bat first, Lumbini posted a modest 134 for 8 in 20 overs. After losing Dinesh Adhikari on the last ball of the second over, they relied on a second-wicket stand between D’Arcy Short and captain Rohit Paudel.

Paudel made 34 off 30 balls, including two sixes and two fours, before being bowled by Santosh at 11.2 overs. Short scored 45 off 41 balls with three fours and one six, but was caught by Guptill off Santosh at 13.5 overs. After that, no major partnership developed.

Other wickets fell quickly, with Sandeep Jora, Basir Ahmed, Dilip Nath, Dickwella and Sher Malla all dismissed cheaply. Santosh and Pratish Jaisi took 3 wickets each, while Sandeep claimed 2.

The final will be played on Saturday. It will be Sudur Paschim’s second consecutive final, while Lumbini will be appearing in the final for the first time.

Biratnagar had been forced into Qualifier Two after losing to Sudur Paschim by 77 runs in Qualifier One. They earned their place in this match by defeating Kathmandu Gorkhas by four wickets in the Eliminator on Wednesday.