Lumbini Lions vs Sudurpaschim Royals Preview: NPL 2026 Opening Match
Last year's final, round two. Lumbini start their title defence against a Sudurpaschim side that has lost both NPL finals.
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You could not script a better opening game.
Lumbini Lions and Sudurpaschim Royals start NPL 2026 on Sunday 26 October at 5pm in Kirtipur. These two met in the 2025 final, and Lumbini won it. Sudurpaschim also lost the 2024 final to Janakpur. Two finals, two defeats. If any team is walking into this season with something to prove, it is the Royals. The Himalayan Times has the title history.
Lumbini: champions with new toys
Lumbini kept seven players in June, including captain Rohit Kumar Paudel, then went out and won Aasif Sheikh at the auction after a lucky draw at the Rs2 million ceiling. They have since added USA all-rounder Shadley van Schalkwyk too. On paper that is a stronger squad than the one that won the title. Retention report, auction report.
The question with any champion is whether the hunger is still there. Paudel does not strike me as someone who lets a dressing room get comfortable.
Sudurpaschim: Airee's team
Dipendra Singh Airee is the heart of this side. He bats in the middle, bowls useful overs and can turn a game in ten balls. Sudurpaschim also kept seven players, so the core that reached the last final is largely still there.
What I will be watching
The powerplay, mostly. Both teams will want to get Paudel and Airee in with a platform rather than rescuing a collapse.
New combinations. Sheikh has to fit into a Lumbini top order that already worked. Who moves?
And DRS. This is the first NPL with reviews, so the opening game will be the first time we see captains deciding whether that lbw is really worth it.
I am not going to pretend I know who wins. Opening games are strange. But it should be a proper contest. Team sheets come out at the toss, and you can follow along on our match centre.
