- Lumbini Lions crushed Sudurpaschim Royals by seven wickets, reaching the 88-run target in 9.5 overs to start their title defense strongly.
- Kishore Mahato took 4-22 and Sher Malla claimed 3-11 to bowl out Sudurpaschim for 87, despite captain Dipendra Singh Airee’s resistance.
- D’Arcy Short’s 40 off 18 balls and Aasif Sheikh’s 32 shared a 71-run opening partnership to dismantle the opposition's bowling attack.
- The match also featured the Nepal Premier League’s first-ever implementation of the Decision Review System (DRS) during the second over.
Kirtipur, Nepal: Defending champions Lumbini Lions launched their Nepal Premier League campaign in dominant fashion on Monday, crushing the Sudurpaschim Royals by seven wickets at the TU International Cricket Ground.
A fierce bowling display led by Kishore Mahato and Sher Malla skittled Sudurpaschim for a meager 87 in 17.2 overs, before an aggressive opening stand between D’Arcy Short and Aasif Sheikh made quick work of the chase in under ten overs.
Winning the toss and inserting the opposition, Lumbini captain Rohit Kumar Paudel saw his bowlers strike early and often. Mahato tore through the Royals' top order with figures of 4 for 22, while left-arm spinner Malla strangled the run rate, taking 3 for 11 in a tight four-over spell.
Sudurpaschim never found momentum, losing wickets in clusters. Only captain Dipendra Singh Airee showed resistance with a top score of 27, while tailender Anil Kharel finished unbeaten on 17.
In reply, Lumbini’s openers wiped out the target’s threat immediately. Australian import D’Arcy Short launched a 18-ball blitz, scoring 40 runs with four boundaries and three sixes. Partnering him, Aasif Sheikh struck 32 off 25 balls as the pair put on 71 runs for the opening wicket.
Although Kharel removed both openers and Airee bowled Niroshan Dickwella for seven, the outcome was never in doubt. Paudel and Shamim Hossain saw the team home without further alarm, reaching 88 for 3 in 9.5 overs with over ten overs to spare.
The match also saw the first implementation of the Decision Review System (DRS) in the tournament, though an early referral by Lumbini in the second over was turned down.
The defeat leaves Sudurpaschim needing urgent answers for a fragile top order ahead of their next fixture, while Lumbini collect two points and an early net run rate boost to open their title defense.
