By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Dec 05, 2025 14:06 PM • 17 views
KIRTIPUR — In a contest where the stakes could not have been higher, the Lumbini Lions booked the last remaining berth in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2025 playoffs, overcoming a spirited fightback from the Janakpur Bolts to secure a tense four-wicket victory at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground on Friday. The win guarantees the Rohit Paudel-led side a place in the knockout stages alongside the Sudur Paschim Royals, Kathmandu Gorkhas, and Biratnagar Kings, while officially drawing the curtains on a disappointing campaign for the Janakpur Bolts.
Bolts Stumble Out of the Gates
After winning the toss and electing to bat on a surface that offered assistance to the bowlers, the Janakpur Bolts struggled to find rhythm. Stand-in captain Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton's decision to bat first backfired early, as the Lions' disciplined and aggressive attack stifled the scoring rate.
Openers Aasif Sheikh (20) and Maaz Sadaqat (6) failed to provide the explosive start required in a must-win encounter. Sheikh showed flashes of intent but perished trying to accelerate, while the middle order crumbled under the pressure of the Lions' spin and seam combination.
It was left to Sangeeth Cooray to anchor the innings. His gritty 45 off 38 balls held the side together as wickets tumbled around him. A late, crucial cameo from all-rounder Mayan Yadav—who struck a brisk 27 off 23 balls—dragged Janakpur to a respectable, albeit below-par, total of 132/6 in their 20 overs.
For Lumbini, the bowling effort was a collective triumph. Captain Rohit Paudel led from the front with the ball, claiming two vital wickets, while Sher Malla continued his impressive tournament form with figures of 2-20, keeping the Bolts on a leash throughout the middle overs.
The Chase: Cruise, Collapse, and Composure
Chasing 133 for a spot in the playoffs, the Lumbini Lions appeared to be cruising behind the composure of their skipper. Paudel, looking to finish the job himself, compiled a well-made 34 off 32 balls, stabilising the innings after the early loss of the openers. However, the game turned on its head in the 12th over. Mayan Yadav, fresh from his heroics with the bat, returned to haunt the Lions with the ball. In a game-changing spell, he trapped Paudel LBW before dismissing Sundeep Jora for a golden duck on the very next delivery. The double-strike sent shockwaves through the Lumbini dugout, leaving them in a precarious position and breathing life into the Janakpur defence. Suddenly, a routine chase transformed into a battle of nerves. With the required run rate climbing and the Bolts' fielders swarming, the Lions needed cool heads. They found them in JJ Smit and Dilip Nath.
Nath Finishes in Style
Smit absorbed the pressure with a crucial 21 off 19 balls, rotating the strike and finding the boundary when necessary to keep the asking rate manageable. But it was Dilip Nath who delivered the knockout punch.
With the game drifting into a tense final over equation, Nath took charge against Sanjay Krishnamurthi. Displaying nerves of steel, he launched a delivery over deep mid-wicket for a massive six, sealing the victory with five balls to spare.
Implications and What's Next
The victory was a testament to Lumbini's resilience, particularly their ability to recover from a mid-innings collapse that might have derailed lesser teams. By securing the fourth spot, they keep their title hopes alive and will now prepare for the high-pressure environment of the eliminators. For the Janakpur Bolts, the loss epitomises a season of "what-ifs." Despite flashes of brilliance—exemplified today by Mayan Yadav's all-round effort—they lacked the consistency required to challenge the league's top tier. They exited the tournament knowing they had the fight but ultimately lacked the firepower. The NPL playoffs are now set, with the Lions roaring into the final four just in the nick of time.
