KATHMANDU: After weeks of competition, the Nepal Premier League will crown a new champion today as Sudurpaschim Royals and Lumbini Lions face off in the final at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Stadium.
For Sudurpaschim Royals, the final is a return to unfinished business. Last season, they stood just one step away from the title before falling to Janakpur Bolts. That defeat has quietly shaped their campaign this year. Calm, consistent and composed, the Royals have looked like a team that understands what it takes to go deep in a tournament, and how painful it is to fall short.
Their path to the final has been defined by control. Six straight wins in the league stage announced their intent early, and even their lone defeat came when qualification was already secure. When the pressure returned in the first qualifier, Sudurpaschim responded emphatically, dismantling Biratnagar Kings by 77 runs. It was a statement performance from a side that appears to have learned from last year’s heartbreak.
At the centre of that stability stands captain Dipendra Singh Airee. His influence has gone beyond numbers, though his contributions with bat, ball and in the field underline his value. Around him, the Royals have built a balanced unit. Binod Bhandari has provided solidity at the top, while the middle order has chipped in consistently. With Abinash Bohara leading a disciplined bowling attack, Sudurpaschim have rarely allowed opponents to dictate terms.
Lumbini Lions arrive at the final carrying a very different story. Last season ended early for them, an exit in the league stage that forced reflection and reinvention. This year began shakily as well, with early defeats threatening to repeat history. Yet, somewhere along the way, the Lions found rhythm, and belief.
Their late surge has been one of the tournament’s most compelling narratives. Three consecutive league victories kept their hopes alive, and once in the playoffs, Lumbini played with freedom and confidence. Wins over Kathmandu Gorkhas and Biratnagar Kings were not just tactical successes, but emotional ones, signalling a team finally comfortable in big moments.
Captain Rohit Paudel has embodied that transformation. His runs at the top have anchored Lumbini’s innings, while the inclusion and impact of foreign players like Darcy Short have strengthened the batting spine. With the ball, Sher Malla and Ruben Trumpelmann have given the Lions early momentum, often shifting matches in the opening overs.
Tonight’s final, therefore, becomes a contest of temperament as much as talent. Sudurpaschim bring the weight of expectation and the hunger to correct last year’s loss. Lumbini arrive with momentum, free from the burden of past finals and driven by the possibility of a maiden title.
On paper, Sudurpaschim’s consistency and all-round depth give them a narrow advantage. They have looked like a team built for finals, capable of absorbing pressure and responding with discipline. Yet cricket, especially in a one-off final, rarely follows scripts. If Lumbini’s bowlers strike early and their top order finds fluency, the balance could tilt quickly.
By the end of the evening, one of these stories will find its perfect ending. Whether it is redemption for Sudurpaschim or a breakthrough triumph for Lumbini, the NPL final promises a night where preparation meets emotion, and where a season’s worth of effort comes down to a few decisive hours.
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