Nepal Premier League 2026 Season Underway with Exciting Matches

The third season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) has commenced, bringing top-tier Twenty20 cricket action to the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Eight franchise teams are participating in the tournament, each playing seven league games before the top four advance to the playoffs.

Defending champions Lumbini Lions began their title defense with a convincing seven-wicket victory over the Sudurpaschim Royals. Chasing a target of 88 runs, Lumbini reached 88/3 in just 9.5 overs, propelled by D'Arcy Short's explosive 40 off 18 balls and Aasif Sheikh's 32 from 25 deliveries. Earlier in the match, bowlers Sher Malla and Kishore Mahato dismantled the Sudurpaschim batting lineup, restricting them to 87 runs.

The tournament schedule also saw Chitwan Rhinos squaring off against Biratnagar Kings in a morning fixture, while Janakpur Bolts took on the Karnali Yaks. The league stage features daily double-header matches, providing fans with extensive live action as teams vie for crucial points on the standings table.

In another notable encounter, the Kathmandu Gurkhas faced the Karnali Yaks. Karnali posted a competitive total of 180 runs for six wickets in their allotted 20 overs, led by Aariful Islam's top score of 44 runs and contributions from Husain Talat and Pawan Sarraf. Despite securing high-profile international players such as Australian batter David Warner, the Kathmandu Gurkhas faced early pressure in their run chase.

The Pokhara Avengers have also been navigating their campaign, seeking their first victory after tough early losses. During their match against the Janakpur Bolts, Pokhara fell short by nine runs despite a solid 35-run knock from captain Kushal Bhurtel and disciplined bowling from players like Shakib Al Hasan and Moeen Ali.

As the group stage progresses toward the playoffs scheduled for mid-November, franchises are fine-tuning their strategies. The tournament follows a playoff format similar to the Indian Premier League, featuring Qualifier 1, an Eliminator, and Qualifier 2, culminating in the grand finale on November 21, where the champions will claim a prize of NPR 15 million.