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Poland's Piotr Zielinski struck late to earn a 3-2 victory away to Malta on Monday but it was not enough to claim top spot in their World Cup qualifying group and they had to settle for a place in the playoffs for next year's finals, Reuters reported.

Poland’s win at Ta'Qali's National Stadium lifted them to 17 points in Group G, the second-place finish bringing a chance to book a ticket to North America via the playoffs in March.

The Netherlands claimed direct qualification as they finished top with 20 points after thrashing visiting Lithuania 4-0. Malta finished fourth with five points, according to Reuters.

Two matches are being held today in the Nepal Premier League 2025, a franchise-based Twenty20 cricket tournament that began in Kirtipur on Monday.

In the first match starting at 11:45 am, Chitwan Rhinos and Karnali Yaks will compete while Biratnagar Kings and Pokhara Avengers will face each other in the second match.

Kushal Malla will lead Chitwan Rhinos and Sompal Kami is the captain of Karnali Yaks. 

Likewise, Sandeep Lamichhane will take command of Biratnagar Kings as the team captain and Kushal Bhurtel for Pokhara Avengers.  

On Monday, Kathmandu Gurkhas defeated defending champions Janakpur Bolts by five wickets  in the inaugural match. 

According to Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the tournament will be conducted until December 13 and altogether 32 matches including the league stage, three play-offs and the final will be held. 

CAN stated that the winner of the tournament will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 11 million. 

Similarly, the runner-up team of the tournament will receive the cash award of Rs 5.1 million. 

The team securing third place will receive Rs 2.5 million while the fourth-placed team will get Rs 1.5 million. 

All matches of the NPL will be held at the Kirtipur cricket ground. 

Eight franchise teams, including defending champion Janakpur Bolts along with previous runner-up Sudurpaschim Royals, Karnali Yaks, Pokhara Avengers, Biratnagar Kings, Chitwan Rhinos, Kathmandu Gorkhas, and Lumbini Lions are competing in the NPL.

Kathmandu Gorkhas began their second season of Nepal Premier League (NPL) campaign with a five-wicket victory over defending champion Janakpur Bolts in the opening day-night match played under floodlights at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Monday.

Chasing a target of 131, Kathmandu reached 131/5 in 18 overs. Ben Charlesworth powered the innings with a blistering 46 off 23 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes. Opener Aakash Tripathi anchored the chase with 39 runs from 45 deliveries. Though the Gorkhas lost quick wickets in the middle overs, short cameos from Milind Kumar (19), John Simpson (13) and Mohammad Aadil Alam (8* off 4) ensured a comfortable finish.

Earlier, Janakpur Bolts posted 130/6 in their 20 overs after being put in to bat. Aasif Sheikh top-scored with a fluent 54 off 41 balls, while Mayan Yadav contributed an unbeaten 34 off 29. Janakpur struggled for momentum as Kathmandu’s Milind Kumar produced an excellent spell, taking three wickets for 15 runs. He was awarded man of the match. Santosh Yadav and Shahab Alam claimed one wicket each, while Karan KC picked up one wicket but was expensive.

The Gorkhas dominated the powerplay with 55 runs without loss and maintained control throughout the chase.

The tournament continues tomorrow with Chitwan Rhinos facing Kathmandu Yaks at 11:45 am, followed by a day-night clash between Biratnagar Kings and Pokhara Avengers at 4:00 pm, both matches set to be played in Kirtipur.

Defending champions Janakpur Bolts and Kathmandu Gurkhas are locking their horns in the opening match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) beginning today.

The match will begin at 4 pm in the Kirtipur-based International Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground.

In the first edition of the NPL, Janakpur had easily defeated Kathmandu.

Janakpur which was under the leadership of Pubudu Dassanayake, also the former coach of the Nepali national team, in the first edition now is playing under the leadership of Shivnarine Chadrapaul of the West Indies.

Likewise, Kathmandu has appointed Monti Desai of India as the main coach of iots team for the second edition.

Monti is also the former chief coach of the Nepali national team.