Lumbini Lions finally secured a long-awaited victory, defeating Chitwan Rhinos by 33 runs in the 16th match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. This win was crucial for Lumbini, who had been struggling with four consecutive losses and were in danger of elimination. With this win on Tuesday, Lumbini Lions have revived their chances, though they remain slim in the tournament.

The victory came thanks to a stellar all-round performance from Lumbini’s captain, Rohit Paudel. Paudel, who also leads the Nepal national team, played a match-winning role with both bat and ball. He top-scored with 80 runs off 57 balls, including six fours and five sixes, and followed it up with impressive bowling figures of four wickets for just 17 runs. His exceptional performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

Lumbini posted a competitive total of 167/6 in their 20 overs, with contributions from Saad Bin Zafar, who scored a quick-fire 52 off 35 balls. Despite a challenging start, Lumbini recovered through a crucial 114-run partnership between Rohit and Zafar.

Chasing a target of 168, Chitwan Rhinos never looked comfortable. Lumbini’s bowlers, led by Paudel, kept the pressure on with tight spells. Chitwan’s top order collapsed early, and they were restricted to 134/8 in their 20 overs. Paudel’s all-round brilliance helped Lumbini seal a comprehensive win and break their losing streak.

In a post-match interview, Paudel expressed his relief, saying, “We needed a win today, and I’m happy to contribute to the team's success. This is one of my best performances, and I’m glad it helped us turn things around.” His form has been a bright spot in the NPL, with 261 runs in five matches, making him the highest run-scorer so far. He also sits fifth on the list of highest wicket-takers with seven wickets.

Looking ahead, Paudel emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum, saying, “If we win the remaining two matches and other results go our way, we can still make the playoffs. We have to focus on our own performance and leave the rest to fate.”

Chitwan’s coach, Umesh Patwal, also praised Paudel for his exceptional performance. “Rohit is one of my students, and I’m proud to see him leading the NPL as the top scorer. It’s a great achievement for Nepali cricket.”

In the second match on Tuesday, Karnali Yaks triumphed over Pokhara Avengers by seven wickets with 30 balls to spare. Chasing a target of 104, Karnali reached the target in just 15 overs, with a comfortable win marking their third victory in five matches.

Pokhara Avengers, batting first, posted a modest total of 103 all out in 16.3 overs. Despite a solid start from Dinesh Kharel (26 off 19 balls) and Andries Gous (25 off 12 balls), they struggled to build partnerships, losing wickets regularly. William Bosisto was the standout performer with the ball, taking a remarkable six wickets for 28 runs, becoming the first player to claim six wickets in an innings in the ongoing NPL.

Karnali’s bowling attack was equally potent, with Sompal Kami (1/26) and Bipin Sharma (1/21) also contributing to the dismissal of Pokhara’s batting line-up.

In reply, Karnali Yaks started cautiously, losing two early wickets. However, Chadwick Walton’s 42 off 34 balls and Gulsan Jha’s unbeaten 49 off 37 balls steered them to victory. The pair shared a crucial 60-run partnership, taking Karnali across the finish line.

Bosisto was awarded Player of the Match for his brilliant all-round performance.

Wednesday will also feature a double-header. The 18th match will see Janakpur Bolts take on Sudurpaschim Royals at 9:00 am. Following that, the 19th match will be between Kathmandu Gurkhas and Lumbini Lions.