Lumbini Lions and Sudurpaschim Royals Open Nepal Premier League Season 3

The Nepal Premier League commenced its third season on Monday, 26 October 2026, featuring a high-profile opening match between the defending champions Lumbini Lions and the Sudurpaschim Royals at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Play was scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM Nepal time, marking the start of a 32-match tournament that runs through November 21.

This season carries added significance because the competition has received official T20 status. Unlike the first two editions, which were classified under Other T20, player performances will now officially enter recognized career records. Eight franchises are competing across 28 league matches followed by a four-game playoff phase.

Monday's fixture serves as a direct rematch of the 2025 final, where Rohit Paudel's Lumbini Lions defeated the Sudurpaschim Royals. In that title match, Lumbini bowled out their opponents for just 85 runs and chased the target in nine overs to secure the championship. That victory capped a remarkable late-season surge after Lumbini had won only one of their first four league matches.

In contrast, the Sudurpaschim Royals have historically dominated the league stage, finishing in first place with identical six-win and one-loss records in both 2024 and 2025. Despite their consistent early-season form, they fell to the Janakpur Bolts in the inaugural final before losing to Lumbini in the 2025 title match. Heading into the new campaign, Sudurpaschim holds a 2-1 head-to-head advantage over Lumbini across previous league encounters.

Both teams enter the opener led by experienced domestic captains and bolstered by notable international talent. Lumbini's squad features overseas players such as D'Arcy Short, Niroshan Dickwella, Ruben Trumpelmann, Shamim Hossain, and Shadley van Schalkwyk. Meanwhile, the Sudurpaschim Royals rely on a domestic core led by Dipendra Singh Airee and Binod Bhandari, alongside overseas recruits including Sherfane Rutherford, Saif Zaib, Brandon McMullen, and Scott Kuggeleijn.

Tournament organizers noted that teams are permitted to field a maximum of four overseas players while incorporating at least one player from an Associate member of the International Cricket Council. Final playing combinations for the opening match remained subject to confirmation at the toss.

Weather conditions in Kathmandu on Monday remained clear and dry with minimal chance of rain, providing ideal conditions for cricket at the Kirtipur venue. With NetTV holding worldwide streaming rights, fans across the globe tuned in to watch the opening clash as the league looks to build upon its growing international prominence.