Lumbini Lions Beat Biratnagar in Qualifier 2 and Reached NPL Final 2025

The Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2025 delivered a high-pressure knockout match on December 11, 2025, as the Lumbini Lions beat Biratnagar Kings in Qualifier 2 at the Kirtipur TU Ground Cricket. With a convincing 40-run victory, the Lions booked their place in the NPL Final 2025, where they will face Sudurpaschim Royals.

This match was filled with skill, discipline, and game-changing moments that defined the outcome. Below is a detailed breakdown of the ll vs bk match, key performances, innings summaries, and how Lumbini secured a dominant win on a crucial day.

Match Overview: Lumbini Lions vs Biratnagar Kings, Qualifier 2

Venue: Kirtipur TU Ground Cricket
Date: December 11, 2025
Event: Nepal Premier League (NPL 2025)
Result: Lumbini Lions won by 40 runs

This Qualifier 2 encounter was a must-win match. The winner would advance to the final, while the loser would be eliminated from the tournament. Lumbini Lions handled the pressure better, defended a modest total with excellent bowling, and outplayed Biratnagar in almost every department.

Lumbini Lions Innings: A Steady and Calculated Batting Effort

Total: 134/8 in 20 overs
Run Rate: 6.70

After being put under early pressure, Lumbini Lions built their innings around partnerships and sensible shot selection. Their total of 134 looked competitive considering the nature of the pitch, which favored bowlers in the later overs.

Top Performers with the Bat

D'Arcy Short – 45 (41)
Short provided a solid foundation, playing responsibly and keeping the scoreboard moving.

Rohit Paudel – 34 (30)
The captain led from the front with a composed knock, rotating the strike and stabilizing the innings.

Niroshan Dickwella – 29 (22)
Dickwella injected momentum in the middle overs with strike rotation and boundary hitting.

Middle-Order Collapse

Lumbini went through a brief collapse between overs 14 to 16, losing three wickets for just seven runs:

• Sundeep Jora for 0

• JJ Smit for 0

• Dilip Nath for 1

Despite this, late contributions from Ruben Trumpelmann (11*) and Sher Malla (7) helped the Lions finish with a defendable total.

Biratnagar Kings Bowling Highlights

• Subash Bhandari: 3/14 (4 overs)

• Pratis GC: 3/27 (4 overs)

• Sandeep Lamichhane: 2/18 (4 overs)

Biratnagar bowled well in patches, especially in the middle overs, but could not fully restrict Lumbini.

Biratnagar Kings Innings: A Struggle from the Start

Total: 94 all out in 17.5 overs
Required: 135 runs from 20 overs

Biratnagar’s chase never took off. Their top order collapsed within the first two overs, putting them under immense pressure.

Early Collapse of Batters

Biratnagar were reduced to 4 runs for 3 wickets inside the first 1.3 overs.
The wickets included:

• Martin Guptill for 2

• Lokesh Bam for 0

• Faf du Plessis for 3

This early damage put Biratnagar in a difficult position from which they never recovered.

Notable Performances

• Sam Heazlett – 34 (28)
  Heazlett was the only batsman who looked comfortable, playing a steady knock with two boundaries and two sixes.
• Marchant de Lange – 17 (20)
• Naren Bhatta – 21 (21)
  These lower-order contributions delayed the inevitable but did not threaten the target.

Lumbini Lions Bowling Excellence

Lumbini defended their total through disciplined, intelligent, and relentless bowling.

Top Bowling Figures:

• Tilak Bhandari – 3/15 (4 overs)

• Ruben Trumpelmann – 2/9 (3 overs)

• JJ Smit – 2/15 (2.5 overs)

• Abhishesh Gautam – 2/22 (4 overs)

Trumpelmann’s early strikes and Bhandari’s accuracy dismantled Biratnagar’s batting order, while Gautam and Smit maintained pressure in the middle and final overs.

Match Progression Summary

Powerplay: Biratnagar Kings were struggling at 28/3.
10 overs: Biratnagar at 58/5, with the required rate rising.
Steady fall of wickets: No partnership of significance developed.
Final score: 94 all out in 17.5 overs.

Lumbini maintained pressure from the first over to the last ball.

Lumbini Lions Reach the NPL Final 2025

With this victory, the Lumbini Lions have successfully advanced to the NPL Final 2025. They will now face Sudurpaschim Royals, who have displayed strong form throughout the tournament. The final promises to be a competitive and exciting contest between two well-balanced sides.

The Lions’ combination of controlled batting and exceptional bowling makes them strong contenders for the title.

Conclusion

The Lumbini Lions beat Biratnagar Kings convincingly in Qualifier 2 of the NPL 2025, thanks to disciplined bowling, smart batting, and effective leadership. Their 40-run victory at Kirtipur TU Ground Cricket not only knocked Biratnagar out of the tournament but also secured Lumbini a well-earned place in the NPL Final 2025.

As they prepare to face Sudurpaschim Royals in the final, the momentum is on their side, and fans are eagerly waiting for a thrilling finale to the Nepal Premier League 2025 season.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who won the Lumbini Lions vs Biratnagar Kings Qualifier 2 match in NPL 2025?

Lumbini Lions won the Qualifier 2 match by 40 runs.

2. When and where was the Qualifier 2 match played?

The match was played on December 11, 2025, at the Kirtipur TU Ground Cricket.

3. What was the final score of the match?

Lumbini Lions scored 134/8 in 20 overs. Biratnagar Kings were bowled out for 94 in 17.5 overs.

4. Who were the top performers for Lumbini Lions?

D'Arcy Short, Rohit Paudel, and Niroshan Dickwella performed well with the bat. Ruben Trumpelmann, Tilak Bhandari, JJ Smit, and Abhishesh Gautam were standout bowlers.