Lumbini Lions Secure Playoff Berth as NPL Season 3 Enters Final League Phase
With 4 wins and 9 points from 6 matches, Lumbini Lions become the first team to officially qualify for the NPL Season 3 playoffs, while Pokhara Avengers are mathematically eliminated with only five league fixtures remaining.
Lumbini Lions have become the first franchise to guarantee a place in the Siddhartha Bank Nepal Premier League Season 3 playoffs following their four-wicket victory over Karnali Yaks in Match 23 at the TU International Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur.
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 10 | +0.135 | |
| 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | +1.421 | |
| 3 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | +0.882 | |
| 4 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | +0.261 | |
| 5 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | -0.524 | |
| 6 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 4 | -0.422 | |
| 7 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | -0.955 | |
| 8 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | -0.651 |
Lumbini Lions' Dominant Run to Qualification
Captained by national skipper Rohit Paudel, the Lions have registered four victories and shared points in one rain-abandoned match, amassing 9 points with a tournament-leading Net Run Rate of +1.421. Key contributions from overseas star D'Arcy Short, pace spearhead Ruben Trumpelmann, and emerging spinner Sher Malla have made Lumbini the most consistent unit of Season 3.
The Top Four and Playoff Picture
Kathmandu Gorkhas sit second on 8 points (+1.168 NRR) from five matches with a game in hand over their closest rivals. Sudurpaschim Royals also have 8 points (+0.082 NRR) from six fixtures, while Biratnagar Kings hold fourth spot on 6 points (-0.524 NRR). Chitwan Rhinos remain in the hunt on 5 points with two fixtures remaining.
Pokhara Avengers, despite a sensational century from Canadian import Yuvraaj Samra in Match 19, have suffered five defeats in six outings and are officially eliminated from playoff contention.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | NR | Points | NRR | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | +1.421 | Qualified (Q) |
| 2 |  | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 8 | +1.168 | In Contention |
| 3 |  | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | +0.082 | In Contention |
| 4 |  | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | -0.524 | In Contention |
| 5 |  | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | +0.009 | In Contention |
| 6 |  | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | -0.303 | Outside Top 4 |
| 7 |  | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | -0.955 | Outside Top 4 |
| 8 |  | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | -0.651 | Eliminated (P) |