Defending champions out, four teams chase fresh NPL glory

KATHMANDU, Dec 9: The second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), underway in the capital, has now entered its decisive and most thrilling phase. After 28 league matches played over nearly a month, the playoff battle will begin on Tuesday at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Sunday’s final league match between defending champions Janakpur Bolts and Karnali Yaks completed the top-four equation and confirmed that a new champion will emerge this season in Nepal’s franchise cricket.

Collapse of Janakpur and hunt for a new champion

The biggest shock of the season came from defending champions Janakpur Bolts, whose dismal performance saw them fail to lift themselves even in their final match played for pride. As a result, last year’s title winners finished at the bottom of the points table and exited the competition. With Janakpur’s elimination, NPL Season 2 is guaranteed to crown a new champion. Of the four teams reaching the playoffs, three—Biratnagar Kings, Kathmandu Gorkhas, and Lumbini Lions—have made it to the final stage for the first time. Only last season’s runners-up, Sudurpashchim Royals, have managed to maintain their playoff presence.

The playoff math: Who stands where?

With the league stage complete, Sudurpashchim Royals and Biratnagar Kings, who finished in the top two, will play Qualifier 1. Kathmandu Gorkhas and Lumbini Lions, in third and fourth positions respectively, will face each other in the Eliminator. The winner of Tuesday’s Qualifier 1 will advance directly to the final, while the losing team will get another chance through Qualifier 2, where they will meet the winner of Wednesday’s Eliminator.

Sudurpashchim Royals: The ‘unlucky’ finalists eye redemption

Sudurpashchim, labelled the ‘unlucky’ runners-up of last season, once again enter the playoffs as one of the strongest contenders for the title. After losing just one game on their way to the final last season, the Royals have maintained their domination this year as well. Led by captain Dipendra Singh Airee, the team became the first to secure a playoff spot. Their unbeaten run, however, was halted in their last league match by Biratnagar Kings. Among the playoff teams, Sudurpashchim have lost only to Biratnagar, while defeating Kathmandu by 29 runs and Lumbini by 7 wickets. Tuesday’s clash against Biratnagar offers the Royals both a chance to avenge their only defeat and to confirm a direct entry into the final.

Biratnagar Kings: Sandeep’s leadership boosts confidence

Biratnagar Kings have emerged as the season’s ‘dark horse,’ showcasing impressive form throughout the tournament. Under the captaincy of Sandeep Lamichhane, the Kings played with a balanced mix of aggression and discipline, securing a top-two finish. Their victory over table-toppers Sudurpashchim in the final league match strengthened their claim as title contenders. Biratnagar have won five of their seven matches this season. They defeated Kathmandu by 5 wickets and Sudurpashchim by 6 wickets, while suffering a loss to Lumbini. Roaring crowd support, Sandeep’s tactical clarity, and the team’s strong coordination make Biratnagar one of the most dangerous sides heading into the playoffs.

Kathmandu Gorkhas: Rewriting history with first-ever playoff berth

Kathmandu Gorkhas, led by Karan KC, have rewritten their history with a breakthrough season. After narrowly missing out on the playoffs due to net run rate in the first edition, Kathmandu secured its spot this time by defeating Pokhara Avengers. Until Saturday, Kathmandu were strong contenders for a top-two finish, but Biratnagar’s big win over Sudurpashchim pushed them to third place. This means they now need to clear two hurdles—the Eliminator and Qualifier 2—to reach the final. Kathmandu have won five of their seven matches, including the opening victory against defending champions Janakpur. Among playoff teams, they have only beaten Lumbini and lost to both Sudurpashchim and Biratnagar.

Lumbini Lions: A remarkable comeback from bottom to playoffs

Perhaps the most inspiring story of the season is Lumbini Lions’ dramatic comeback. Last season’s bottom-ranked team has reached the playoffs this year under the leadership of national team captain Rohit Kumar Paudel. Lumbini secured their playoff berth by defeating defending champions Janakpur. After a strong start with a win in the opening match, Lumbini suffered three consecutive defeats, leading many to rule them out. But the team staged an impressive turnaround, winning the next three games to climb to fourth place. Among the playoff teams, they have defeated Biratnagar but lost to Sudurpashchim and Kathmandu. On Wednesday, Lumbini will face Kathmandu in the Eliminator, where they aim to continue their do-or-die momentum and push toward the title.

With four matches remaining, NPL Season 2 is heading towards an unpredictable and high-intensity finish. Sudurpashchim’s consistency, Biratnagar’s aggression, Kathmandu’s balance, and Lumbini’s spirited comeback all set the stage for one of the most competitive playoff battles yet. With the defending champions already out, NPL is certain to crown a new ‘cricketing monarch’ this season.