Nepal Premier League 2026: Review of the First Four Matches, Results and Points Table

The third season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), began on October 26, 2026, at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. The franchise-based Twenty20 (T20) tournament, officially recognized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), features eight teams.

Four matches were completed between October 26 and 28, with Lumbini Lions, Chitwan Rhinos, Karnali Yaks and Sudurpaschim Royals recording victories.

In the opening match, Lumbini defeated Sudurpaschim by seven wickets, while Chitwan secured an eight-run victory over Biratnagar Kings. Karnali beat Janakpur Bolts by 19 runs, and Sudurpaschim recovered from its opening defeat to register a six-wicket win against Pokhara Avengers.

Bowlers played an important role in the opening matches. Kishore Mahato of Lumbini, Kamal Singh Airee of Chitwan and Unish Thakuri of Karnali made significant contributions to their respective teams' victories.

In batting, Chitwan's Dawid Malan scored 70 runs, while Sudurpaschim captain Dipendra Singh Airee struck an unbeaten half-century against Pokhara.

The opening three days highlighted the importance of recovering from early batting setbacks, building partnerships during run chases and taking wickets at crucial stages when defending modest totals.

Results of the First Four NPL 2026 Matches

All four matches took place in Kirtipur.

Of the four matches completed during the first three days, two were won by teams batting second, while two were won by teams defending their totals.

Match 1: Lumbini Lions Win by Seven Wickets

October 26, 2026 — Lumbini Lions vs Sudurpaschim Royals

Defending champions Lumbini Lions opened the third season with a seven-wicket victory over Sudurpaschim Royals.

Lumbini captain Rohit Paudel won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Sudurpaschim Bowled Out for 87 Runs

Batting first, Sudurpaschim lost wickets at regular intervals from the beginning of its innings.

Captain Dipendra Singh Airee scored 27 runs from 23 balls but received limited support from the other batters.

Anil Kharel contributed 15 runs from 26 balls, while Saif Zaib scored 13 from 14 deliveries. Sudurpaschim struggled to establish substantial partnerships and was bowled out for 87 runs in 17.2 overs.

Kishore Mahato took four wickets for Lumbini, while Sher Malla claimed three. Rohit Paudel, Tilak Bhandari and Shadley van Schalkwyk took one wicket each.

Malla's economical bowling helped maintain pressure on Sudurpaschim throughout the innings. He was named Player of the Match.

D'Arcy Short and Aasif Sheikh Build a Decisive Partnership

Chasing a target of 88 runs, Lumbini adopted an attacking approach.

D'Arcy Short and Aasif Sheikh established a 71-run opening partnership from just 38 balls, placing their team in a strong position.

Short scored 40 runs from 18 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. His strike rate was 222.22.

Aasif added 32 runs from 25 balls, including two fours and two sixes.

Anil Kharel claimed two wickets for Sudurpaschim, while Dipendra Singh Airee took one.

Despite losing three wickets, Lumbini reached 88 runs in just 9.5 overs to complete a convincing victory.

The result gave Lumbini two points and a substantial early advantage in net run rate. The team completed the chase in 59 legal deliveries, winning with 61 balls remaining.

Match 2: Chitwan Rhinos Secure an Eight-Run Victory

October 27, 2026 — Biratnagar Kings vs Chitwan Rhinos

In the second match of the tournament, Chitwan Rhinos defeated Biratnagar Kings by eight runs.

Biratnagar won the toss and elected to field first.

Dawid Malan's 70 Gives Chitwan a Strong Foundation

Chitwan scored 157 runs for the loss of three wickets in its allotted 20 overs.

Opening batter Dawid Malan played a significant innings, scoring 70 runs from 50 balls with five fours and five sixes.

Malan shared a 58-run opening partnership with Dev Khanal, who contributed 12 runs. Arjun Saud was dismissed for three runs.

After Malan's dismissal, Ravi Bopara and Dan Mousley continued building the innings.

Bopara remained unbeaten on 32 runs from 26 balls, while Mousley scored an unbeaten 29 from 22 deliveries.

Their unbroken 67-run partnership helped Chitwan finish above 150 runs.

For Biratnagar, Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka and Andre Russell took one wicket each.

Captain Sandeep Lamichhane conceded 23 runs in four overs but did not take a wicket.

Kamal Singh Airee's Four-Wicket Haul Secures Chitwan's Victory

Chasing 158 runs, Biratnagar made a competitive start.

Imran Sheikh scored 39 runs from 31 balls, while Lokesh Bam contributed 26 from 14 deliveries.

In the middle order, Basir Ahmad scored 13 runs and Angelo Mathews added 14.

Andre Russell then played an aggressive innings of 33 runs from 17 balls, striking one four and four sixes as Biratnagar attempted to move closer to the target.

However, Chitwan's bowlers changed the course of the match in the final overs.

Kamal Singh Airee took four wickets for 26 runs in his four overs. His performance was particularly important in the 18th over, when he dismissed two batters in consecutive deliveries and increased the pressure on Biratnagar.

Rijan Dhakal followed with two wickets in the 19th over.

In the final over, Tom Taylor dismissed Shubham Ranjane, and Biratnagar was bowled out for 149 runs in 19.3 overs.

Rijan finished with two wickets for Chitwan, while Taylor, Ranjeet Kumar, Dan Mousley and Mausam Dhakal claimed one wicket each.

Kamal Singh Airee was named Player of the Match for his four-wicket performance.

Match 3: Karnali Yaks Defeat Janakpur Bolts by 19 Runs

October 27, 2026 — Karnali Yaks vs Janakpur Bolts

In the second match played on October 27, Karnali Yaks defeated Janakpur Bolts by 19 runs.

Janakpur won the toss and decided to bowl first.

Ariful Islam and Pawan Sarraf Stabilize Karnali's Innings

Karnali made a difficult start after being asked to bat.

Opening batter Mark Watt was dismissed for one run. Deepak Dumre scored 13 runs from five balls, but the team continued losing early wickets.

Ariful Islam helped stabilize the innings with 43 runs from 29 deliveries, including four sixes.

Pawan Sarraf contributed 37 runs from 37 balls, while Gulshan Jha added 12 from nine deliveries.

The contributions from Ariful and Pawan helped Karnali reach 132 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs.

Janakpur captain Harmeet Singh took three wickets for 22 runs in four overs.

Moeen Ali claimed two wickets, conceding 19 runs in four overs.

Rahul Yadav, making his T20 debut for Janakpur, also delivered an economical spell. He took two wickets for just 15 runs in four overs, dismissing a batter with his first delivery.

Lalit Rajbanshi added one wicket.

Unish Thakuri and Hussain Talat Trigger Janakpur's Batting Collapse

Chasing 133 runs, Janakpur also struggled to establish a strong opening partnership.

Trit Raj Das was dismissed for one run, while Mayan Yadav scored 14.

Moeen Ali contributed 19 runs, Anil Kumar Sah scored 11, and Kusal Perera added six.

Captain Harmeet Singh made 19 runs from 13 deliveries.

Abhishek Tiwari was Janakpur's highest scorer with 20 runs from 17 balls, including two sixes. Jimmy Neesham contributed 15.

For much of the middle phase, Janakpur remained in contention to reach the target. However, Karnali's bowlers took wickets in quick succession and disrupted the batting lineup.

Left-arm spinner Unish Bikram Singh Thakuri claimed three wickets for 22 runs in four overs, including one maiden.

After dismissing Harmeet Singh, he removed Neesham and Aaditya Mahata from consecutive deliveries in another important over.

Hussain Talat also took three wickets, conceding 26 runs in four overs.

Nandan Yadav claimed two wickets for 13 runs in 2.3 overs, while captain Sompal Kami took one wicket.

Janakpur lost its final six wickets while adding just 19 runs.

The team was bowled out for 113 in 19.3 overs, giving Karnali a 19-run victory.

Unish Thakuri was named Player of the Match.

Match 4: Sudurpaschim Royals Register Their First Victory

October 28, 2026 — Pokhara Avengers vs Sudurpaschim Royals

On the third day of the tournament, Sudurpaschim Royals defeated Pokhara Avengers by six wickets.

It was Sudurpaschim's first victory of the season after losing its opening match against Lumbini.

Captain Dipendra Singh Airee won the toss and elected to field first.

Arjun Gharti's Unbeaten 40 Lifts Pokhara to 145

Batting first, Pokhara scored 145 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.

Captain Kushal Bhurtel scored 21 runs from 17 balls.

Bangladeshi batter Mahedi Hasan contributed 32 runs from 21 balls, hitting four fours and one six.

Shakib Al Hasan made 14 runs, while Sadeera Samarawickrama scored eight.

Arjun Gharti provided an important contribution in the middle and lower order.

He remained unbeaten on 40 runs from 25 deliveries, hitting four fours and one six.

His innings helped Pokhara reach a total of 145.

For Sudurpaschim, spinner Anil Kharel claimed three wickets for 23 runs in three overs.

He dismissed Mahedi Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan and Sadeera Samarawickrama.

Hemant Dhami took one wicket for 14 runs in three overs, while Scott Kuggeleijn and Dipendra Singh Airee also claimed one wicket each.

Dipendra's Half-Century and Partnership with Ishan Prove Decisive

Chasing 146 runs, Sudurpaschim did not have an entirely comfortable start.

Saif Zaib contributed 15 runs, while Brandon McMullen scored 22.

However, an important partnership between captain Dipendra Singh Airee and Ishan Pandey put Sudurpaschim in a strong position to win.

Dipendra scored an unbeaten 51 runs from 36 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes.

Ishan contributed 37 runs from 31 deliveries, including two fours and two sixes.

The pair added 74 runs for the fourth wicket.

Their controlled batting helped Sudurpaschim manage the required run rate and move steadily towards the target.

After Ishan's dismissal, Sherfane Rutherford remained unbeaten on eight runs from four balls.

Sudurpaschim reached 148 runs for the loss of four wickets in 16.5 overs, winning with 19 balls remaining.

For Pokhara, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Mahedi Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan took one wicket each.

Dipendra Singh Airee was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten half-century and one wicket.

His innings was also the first half-century scored by a Nepali player in the third season of the tournament.

Leading Batting Performances in the First Three Days

After the first four matches, Dipendra Singh Airee led the tournament in total runs, while Dawid Malan held the highest individual score.

Dawid Malan: 70 Runs

Chitwan Rhinos batter Dawid Malan scored 70 runs from 50 balls against Biratnagar Kings.

His innings included five fours and five sixes and remained the highest individual score during the first three days.

Dipendra Singh Airee: 78 Runs in Two Matches

Sudurpaschim captain Dipendra Singh Airee accumulated 78 runs in his first two matches.

He scored 27 against Lumbini and an unbeaten 51 against Pokhara.

By the end of the October 28 match, he was the tournament's leading run-scorer.

Ariful Islam: 43 Runs

Karnali's Ariful Islam scored 43 runs from 29 deliveries against Janakpur.

His innings helped Karnali recover from early wickets and reach a total of 132.

Arjun Gharti: Unbeaten 40 Runs

Pokhara's Arjun Gharti scored an unbeaten 40 runs from 25 balls against Sudurpaschim.

His contribution from the middle and lower order was the highest individual score in Pokhara's innings.

D'Arcy Short: 40 Runs from 18 Balls

Lumbini's D'Arcy Short scored 40 runs from just 18 deliveries against Sudurpaschim.

With a strike rate of 222.22, his attacking innings helped Lumbini complete a small run chase quickly.

Leading Bowling Performances in the First Three Days

Anil Kharel led the wicket-taking charts after the opening four matches.

Kamal Singh Airee and Kishore Mahato also delivered notable performances, claiming four wickets each in a single match.

Anil Kharel: Five Wickets in Two Matches

Sudurpaschim's Anil Kharel took five wickets across his first two matches.

Against Lumbini, he claimed two wickets for nine runs in two overs.

He followed that performance with three wickets for 23 runs in three overs against Pokhara.

Kamal Singh Airee: Four Wickets

Chitwan's Kamal Singh Airee claimed four wickets for 26 runs in four overs against Biratnagar.

His spell was decisive in defending Chitwan's total of 157 runs.

Kishore Mahato: Four Wickets

Lumbini's Kishore Mahato claimed four wickets in the opening match.

His bowling played an important role in restricting Sudurpaschim to just 87 runs.

Unish Thakuri and Hussain Talat: Three Wickets Each

Karnali's Unish Thakuri and Hussain Talat took three wickets each against Janakpur.

Their combined performance helped Karnali successfully defend a modest total of 132 runs.

These early bowling performances also highlighted the contributions of Nepali players during the opening phase of the tournament.

NPL 2026 Points Table: As of October 28

After the first four matches, Lumbini Lions occupied the top position in the Nepal Premier League 2026 points table because of its superior net run rate.

Karnali Yaks ranked second, followed by Chitwan Rhinos in third.

Sudurpaschim Royals, with one victory and one defeat from two matches, occupied fourth place.

Source: Kantipur's NPL 2026 points table, based on results through October 28, 2026.

Teams receive two points for a victory during the league stage.

When teams have equal points, net run rate (NRR) plays an important role in determining their positions.

Net run rate represents the difference between a team's average scoring rate and the average scoring rate it concedes to its opponents.

As a result, victories or defeats by substantial margins can significantly influence league standings.

Lumbini's successful chase against Sudurpaschim in just 9.5 overs helped its net run rate reach +4.599.

In contrast, although Sudurpaschim recovered from its heavy opening defeat to beat Pokhara, its overall net run rate remained negative.

Five Key Observations from the First Four Matches

1. Bowling Proved Decisive When Defending Totals

Chitwan and Karnali both secured victories after batting first.

In both matches, the winning teams' bowlers controlled the opposition's scoring rate and took wickets at important stages.

Chitwan defended 157 runs, with Kamal Singh Airee's four-wicket haul playing a major role.

Karnali managed only 132 runs but successfully defended the total through the combined bowling efforts of Unish Thakuri and Hussain Talat.

These two matches demonstrated that success in T20 cricket depends not only on setting a competitive total but also on taking wickets at the right time and bowling effectively in the closing overs.

2. Partnerships Played an Important Role in Successful Run Chases

Lumbini and Sudurpaschim both won their matches while chasing targets.

For Lumbini, D'Arcy Short and Aasif Sheikh added 71 runs for the first wicket, allowing the team to complete a relatively small chase quickly.

Sudurpaschim's Dipendra Singh Airee and Ishan Pandey established a 74-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Their batting helped maintain control of the match against Pokhara.

Partnerships were central to both victories, although the required batting approach differed according to the target and match situation.

3. Nepali Players Made Significant Contributions

Nepali players contributed to both batting and bowling performances during the first four matches.

Kishore Mahato, Sher Malla, Kamal Singh Airee, Unish Thakuri and Anil Kharel all delivered important bowling performances.

Dipendra Singh Airee combined his captaincy responsibilities with an unbeaten half-century, while Ishan Pandey made a valuable contribution during Sudurpaschim's successful chase.

Janakpur's Rahul Yadav also demonstrated his ability by taking two wickets on his T20 debut.

These performances offered early indications of individual form and the roles these players could perform for their teams.

However, four matches provide only a limited basis for evaluating their performances across the entire season.

4. Overseas Players Influenced Different Match Situations

Overseas players also made notable contributions during the opening matches.

Dawid Malan's 70 runs provided the main foundation for Chitwan's victory.

D'Arcy Short helped Lumbini complete its chase quickly, while Andre Russell played an aggressive innings for Biratnagar but could not guide his team to victory.

Ariful Islam and Hussain Talat contributed to Karnali's performance.

Harmeet Singh and Moeen Ali also made important contributions for Janakpur.

These performances showed not only the participation of overseas players but also their different roles in changing match situations.

5. It Is Too Early to Draw Firm Conclusions About Pitch Conditions

The scores and pace of play varied across the first four matches.

Sudurpaschim was dismissed for just 87 runs in the opening match, while Chitwan scored 157 in the next game.

Karnali successfully defended 132, and Sudurpaschim later completed a chase against Pokhara, which had scored 145.

These results do not establish that batting or bowling conditions were identical across all four matches.

The playing surface, pace and movement of the ball, individual performances, decisions made after the toss and changing match situations can all influence outcomes.

A more reliable assessment of batting and bowling trends at the Kirtipur venue will be possible only after additional matches have been completed.

Upcoming Matches and Tournament Format

Eight teams are participating in NPL 2026.

Each team is scheduled to play one match against every other team during the league stage.

The tournament comprises 28 league matches and four playoff matches, making a total of 32 fixtures.

The final is scheduled for November 21, 2026.

Following the opening three days, Janakpur Bolts, Biratnagar Kings and Pokhara Avengers will be seeking their first victories.

Kathmandu Gorkhas had not played a match as of October 28.

Two matches are scheduled for October 29:

• Janakpur Bolts vs Kathmandu Gorkhas

• Karnali Yaks vs Biratnagar Kings

Another two fixtures are scheduled for October 31:

• Lumbini Lions vs Chitwan Rhinos

• Sudurpaschim Royals vs Biratnagar Kings

Although the opening results have created early differences in the points table, most league-stage matches are still to be played.

Upcoming results and net run rate will remain important for every team as the tournament progresses.

Conclusion

The first four matches of Nepal Premier League 2026, played across three days, provided an early indication of team performances and the level of competition.

Lumbini Lions began with a seven-wicket victory over Sudurpaschim Royals, demonstrating effective bowling and an aggressive approach to chasing a target.

Chitwan Rhinos defeated Biratnagar Kings by eight runs, supported by Kamal Singh Airee's four-wicket haul.

Karnali Yaks successfully defended a modest total to secure a 19-run victory over Janakpur Bolts.

Sudurpaschim recovered from its opening defeat and registered a six-wicket win against Pokhara Avengers, led by captain Dipendra Singh Airee's unbeaten half-century.

In individual performances, Dipendra led the run-scoring charts with 78 runs, while Anil Kharel topped the wicket-taking list with five wickets.

Dawid Malan's 70 remained the highest individual innings across the opening four matches.

At the end of October 28, Lumbini Lions occupied the top position in the points table.

However, with the competition still in its early stages, upcoming results and changes in net run rate could significantly alter the standings.