KATHMANDU: As the Nepal Premier League moves into its final stretch, the playoff race is tightening with only nine league matches left to play.
Nineteen games in, Sudurpashchim Royals stand as the lone team already through to the postseason after a flawless five-win run that has set the benchmark for the rest of the field. Their remaining clashes against Chitwan Rhinos and Biratnagar Kings will determine whether they secure a top-two finish, a scenario that looks highly likely with their current form.
Behind them, Kathmandu Gorkhas have taken command of their own destiny. Four wins from six matches, powered by a three-game surge, have put them in prime position to return to the playoffs they narrowly missed last season.
A victory over Pokhara Avengers in their final league game would clinch their place, and even in defeat their strong net run rate leaves ample room for survival. Biratnagar Kings sit in a similarly strong position after winning four of their first five games.
With a high-profile roster and consistent performances to match, they need only one more win from upcoming fixtures against Lumbini Lions and Sudurpashchim Royals to book their playoff ticket, while sweeping both could elevate them into the top two. The arrival of Faf du Plessis is sure to help them in their quest towards the title.
Chitwan Rhinos remain one of the league’s wild cards, capable of beating top teams but yet to show consistent rhythm. At two wins from four games, they still control their own path. Winning all three remaining fixtures against Janakpur Bolts, Sudurpashchim Royals, and Pokhara Avengers guarantees progression, while two wins would keep them alive depending on outside results.
Lumbini Lions face a steeper climb. With two wins and three losses, they must win out against Biratnagar Kings and Janakpur Bolts to stay relevant, and even then their fate may hinge on net run rate, a department that has hurt them before.
Pokhara Avengers, at one win from four, are officially in must-win mode. Any slip in their next three games against Karnali Yaks, Kathmandu Gorkhas, and Chitwan Rhinos could end their campaign, making every match effectively an elimination game.
Karnali Yaks find themselves in an even tighter bind with just one win from five outings. They must win both remaining games and hope for several other teams to falter. A loss to Pokhara on Tuesday would mathematically end their season. At the bottom, defending champions Janakpur Bolts are hanging on by only the thinnest mathematical thread. Four losses in four games have pushed them to the brink, and a defeat against Chitwan on Tuesday would eliminate them with two matches still to play.
Looking across the table, Sudurpashchim appear well on their way to securing a top-two finish, while Kathmandu and Biratnagar are well positioned to follow them into the postseason. The real drama lies in the battle for the final spot, where Chitwan, Lumbini, and Pokhara are gearing up for what could become a tight, net run rate–driven scramble to the line.
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