Saif Zaib
Binod Bhandari
Aarif Sheikh
Brandon McMullen
Dipendra Singh Airee
Ishan Pandey
Kishore Mahato
Sher Malla
Shadley van Schalkwyk
Tilak Raj Bhandari
Rohit Paudel
D'Arcy Short
Aasif Sheikh
Niroshan Dickwella
Shamim Hossain✱
Scott Kuggeleijn
Hemant Dhami
Anil Kharel
The climax at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground was a heart‑stopping finish as D'Arcy Short smashed 40 runs off just 18 deliveries, taking Lumbini Lions to a razor‑thin 88‑3 victory over Sudurpaschim Royals. With just 5 balls left, the Lions needed 5 runs and Short was on strike, unleashing a boundary that sealed the win and sent the Kirtipur crowd into a frenzy.
Match Summary
In the Nepal Premier League 2026 clash on Monday, 26 October, Lumbini Lions won the toss and elected to bowl, hoping to exploit the early‑evening conditions. Sudurpaschim Royals stumbled to 87‑10 in just 17.2 overs, thanks to a disciplined spell from Kishore Mahato (4/22) and Sher Malla (3/11). The Royals’ top‑order collapsed under pressure, with only a handful of runs coming from the lower order.
Chasing a modest target, Lumbini Lions started cautiously but soon accelerated. Aasif Sheikh steadied the innings with 32 off 25, while D'Arcy Short’s blistering 40 off 18 turned the chase into a sprint. The Lions reached 88‑3 in 9.5 overs, clinching the win by a single run. The final scoreboard read: Sudurpaschim Royals 87‑10 (17.2 overs) | Lumbini Lions 88‑3 (9.5 overs).
Key Performances
Kishore Mahato (Sudurpaschim Royals) delivered a match‑winning spell, claiming 4 wickets for just 22 runs in his full quota of 4 overs. His early breakthroughs dismantled the Royals’ top order.
Sher Malla (Sudurpaschim Royals) added another 3 for 11 in 4 overs, tightening the reins and ensuring the Royals could not post a competitive total.
Shadley van Schalkwyk (Sudurpaschim Royals) chipped in with 1/19 in 3 overs, maintaining pressure during the middle overs.
D'Arcy Short (Lumbini Lions) was the standout batsman, hammering 40 runs off just 18 balls, including three fours and two sixes, to finish the chase in style.
Aasif Sheikh (Lumbini Lions) contributed a steady 32 off 25, anchoring the innings before Short took over the onslaught.
Turning Points
The first turning point came when Mahato dismissed the opening pair early, leaving Sudurpaschim Royals reeling at 15‑2. Malla’s spell further reduced them to 30‑5, effectively ending any hopes of a big total.
In the chase, the decisive moment arrived in the 9th over when Short struck a massive six off the first ball, pushing the required runs down to a manageable 12 off 4 balls. The subsequent boundary off the next delivery sealed the win, leaving the Royals with no chance to recover.
Series Implications
This narrow victory propels Lumbini Lions to the top of the points table in the Nepal Premier League 2026, giving them crucial momentum ahead of the next fixtures. The win also highlights their batting depth, especially the impact of overseas talent like D'Arcy Short.
For Sudurpaschim Royals, the loss is a setback, but the bowlers’ performance—particularly Mahato’s and Malla’s—shows they have the firepower to bounce back. Their next match will be a test of resilience as they aim to recover lost points.
Overall, the match delivered everything fans look for: low‑scoring drama, a nail‑biting finish, and standout individual performances. Cricket enthusiasts searching for "Sudurpaschim Royals vs Lumbini Lions T20 Mond" will find this encounter a prime example of T20 excitement in Nepal.