Kathmandu Gurkhas triumphed over the defending champions, Lumbini Lions, by 36 runs in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026, marking their third consecutive victory.
Australian star David Warner delivered an impressive performance, scoring 66 runs off 50 balls, while Jahandad Khan led a strong bowling effort, securing the win at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Saturday.
After winning the toss, Kathmandu batted first, setting a total of 160/8 in their 20 overs. Lumbini struggled against Kathmandu’s bowling and was dismissed for just 124 runs in 19.3 overs, suffering their first loss of the tournament after an impressive 10 match run.
David Warner Shines with a Half Century
David Warner played a crucial role in the victory, hitting 9 boundaries and 1 six. He partnered with wicket keeper Sahil Patel to build a solid 104 run opening stand, with Patel contributing 38 runs from 36 balls. Kathmandu reached 100 runs without losing a wicket by the 12th over. However, Lumbini’s bowlers struck back, eventually dismissing Warner in the 17th over.
Sahaan Arachige Boosts the Total to 160
After the dismissals of Warner and Patel, Kathmandu faced challenges from Lumbini’s bowlers. Captain Karan KC managed only 9 runs, while other key players struggled. None the less, Sahaan Arachige stepped up, scoring an unbeaten 34 runs off 15 balls, helping Kathmandu finish at a competitive 160/8. Lumbini’s bowlers, Ruben Trumpelmann, Sher Malla, and Abhishek Gautam, each took 2 wickets.
Jahandad Khan Dominates Lumbini’s Batting Lineup
Lumbini’s chase faltered early as Kathmandu’s bowlers dominated, taking 6 wickets during the powerplay. D’Arcy Short and Aasif Sheikh fell for just 4 and 1 run, respectively. Niroshan Dickwella managed 14 runs, while captain Rohit Paudel and Dilip Nath went scoreless. Jahandad Khan excelled with 4 wickets for 23 runs, while Karan KC contributed with 2 wickets for 24 runs.
Sandeep Jora’s Resilience
Despite a poor start, Sandeep Jora fought back for Lumbini, scoring 44 runs off 45 balls, aided by Abhishek Gautam’s 16 runs. The pair added 46 runs for the 8th wicket, but Lumbini ultimately fell short, all out for 124 runs, giving Kathmandu a 36-run victory.
Lumbini Faces Their First Tournament Loss
With this defeat, Lumbini Lions recorded their first loss of the tournament, having previously won 3 matches and drawn one due to rain. Their winning streak from last season was halted by Kathmandu’s strong performance. Despite this, Lumbini remains at the top of the NPL 2026 points table with 7 points from 5 matches.
Kathmandu Climbs the Points Table
Kathmandu Gurkhas have bounced back impressively after an initial loss to Janakpur Bolts, winning their last 3 matches. They now have 6 points from 4 matches, sitting in 2nd place in the points table. Although Sudurpaschim Royals also have 6 points, Kathmandu holds the superior net run rate. Their recent success has heightened excitement in the NPL 2026 title race.