KATHMANDU: One of the teams—Kathmandu Gurkhas or Karnali Yaks—has been confirmed to be eliminated from the group stage of the Nepal Premier League (NPL).
The decision on which team will be eliminated and which teams will advance to the first qualifier will only be made after the final match of the league stage today (Monday) morning.
While one team from Kathmandu and Karnali is certain to be eliminated, the teams advancing to the first qualifier will be decided in the final match.
However, two teams from Sudurpaschim—Janakpur and Karnali—are guaranteed a spot in the first qualifier.
In the playoffs, one team from Janakpur, Karnali, and Kathmandu is certain to face Chitwan.
Sudurpaschim has a strong chance of securing a place in the first qualifier, with Kathmandu at the most risk of elimination.
If Karnali loses to Sudurpaschim by a wide margin in the final match and falls behind Kathmandu in net run rate, Karnali will be eliminated.
In that case, Janakpur and Sudurpaschim will play the first qualifier, while Chitwan and Kathmandu will face off in the playoff.
Although Karnali and Kathmandu are still at risk of missing the playoffs, Chitwan Rhinos have secured their spot.
Since they are ahead of Kathmandu and Karnali in net run rate, the result of the last match will not affect Chitwan’s position, but it will determine their playoff opponents.
If Karnali wins Monday’s match, Chitwan is more likely to play Janakpur in the playoffs.
But if Sudurpaschim wins, Janakpur and Sudurpaschim will play the first qualifier. Sudurpaschim defeated both teams by wide margins during the league stage.
Similarly, Janakpur and Chitwan faced each other in their final match of the league stage, where Chitwan secured their playoff spot with an important victory.
Although Kathmandu won on Sunday, their threat of elimination remains due to their run rate not improving as expected.
Had Kathmandu improved their run rate more than Chitwan, they would have secured a place in the playoffs.
Kathmandu is currently at the bottom due to their net run rate. However, if Karnali loses tomorrow’s match, its net run rate will decrease, giving Kathmandu a chance to still make the playoffs.
Sudurpaschim and Janakpur, who each secured 10 points by winning 5 out of 6 league matches (losing only to Chitwan), will meet again, as both teams are tied in points.
Sudurpaschim still has one more match to play, while Janakpur was defeated by both Chitwan and Sudurpaschim in the league stage.
The eliminator match between the teams ranked third and fourth in the league points table will be held on Wednesday at 9:00 am.
The first qualifier will follow at 1:00 pm. The winner of the first qualifier will advance directly to the final, while the losing team will get another chance to reach the final by playing the second qualifier against the winner of the eliminator. This match is scheduled for Thursday at 12:15 pm.
The final will take place at the Tribhuvan University (TU) Cricket Ground on Saturday at 12:15 pm.
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