Lumbini Lions Crowned NPL 2025 Champions After Crushing Final Win
Kirtipur, Saturday — Lumbini Lions completed a remarkable fairytale run in Nepal Premier League Season 2, dismantling Sudurpaschim Royals by six wickets with 66 balls to spare to lift their maiden NPL title at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground.
In a final that turned decisively one-sided, Lumbini’s bowlers triggered a stunning collapse before their batters, led by a breathtaking cameo from Dinesh Adhikari, sealed the chase inside nine overs.
Image Courtesy: Nepal Premier League (NPL) | Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN)
Royals’ Batting Collapse Sets the Tone
Opting to bat first on a fresh day-night surface, defending champions Sudurpaschim Royals endured a nightmare outing. Missing key overseas firepower Chris Lynn and Josh Brown, the Royals’ batting lacked bite and composure.
They were bowled out for just 85 in 19.1 overs, never recovering from early blows.
- Ruben Trumpelmann, the tournament’s standout performer, struck immediately, dismissing Binod Bhandari for a duck.
- Sher Malla then removed Aarif Sheikh and accounted for skipper Dipendra Singh Airee, tightening Lumbini’s grip.
Opener Ishan Pandey stood firm with 33 off 51 balls, but support was scarce as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Image Courtesy: Nepal Premier League (NPL) | Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN)
Paudel’s Hat-Trick Breaks the Final Open
The defining moment arrived when Lumbini captain Rohit Paudel was introduced after the powerplay. He ripped through the Royals’ middle order with a stunning hat-trick, dismissing Dipendra Singh Airee, Dipak Bohara, and Puneet Mehra in successive deliveries.
The Royals collapsed from 44/3 to 44/6, and Paudel finished with exceptional figures of 3/12 from 4 overs, registering the second hat-trick of the tournament.
Trumpelmann returned to mop up the tail, ending with 3/3 in 2.1 overs, while Malla (3/18) and Abhishesh Gautam (2/15) completed a ruthless bowling display.
Image Courtesy: Nepal Premier League (NPL) | Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN)
Adhikari’s Blitz Ends the Contest Early
Any lingering doubts about a tricky final-night chase were obliterated in the very first over. Facing Royals captain Airee, Dinesh Adhikari launched an extraordinary assault, smashing 27 runs in the opening over.
Adhikari raced to 42 off just 13 balls, striking four sixes and a four, turning the final into a procession. Alongside him, D’Arcy Short (14 off 13) supported a blazing 58-run opening stand in 4.1 overs. Though the Royals briefly struck back with wickets, the result was never in doubt.
Niroshan Dickwella (11)* and Dilip Nath (1)* completed the chase as Lumbini reached 86/4 in 9 overs, sealing victory with 11 overs to spare.
Awards and Individual Honours
Lumbini Lions dominated the awards ceremony as well:
- Ruben Trumpelmann – Player of the Match & Player of the Series (15 wickets)
- Tilak Raj Bhandari – Presidential Graduate School Emerging Player
- Sher Malla – Pulsar Emerging Player of the Tournament
- Rohit Paudel – Pulsar Highest Nepali Run-scorer
From Crisis to Coronation
The title completed an extraordinary turnaround for Lumbini Lions. After starting the season with one win followed by three straight defeats, their campaign appeared on the brink. What followed was a stunning resurgence—five consecutive wins, knockout victories over Biratnagar Kings, and a commanding final triumph over the table-topping Royals.
As fireworks lit up the Kirtipur sky, Lumbini’s players celebrated a journey from early-season uncertainty to ultimate glory. Lumbini Lions are the champions of Nepal Premier League 2025—and judging by this performance, they may be the team to beat in the years ahead.