KATHMANDU, Dec 13: The second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), which began on 17 November 2025, is set to conclude Saturday with Sudurpaschim Royals and Lumbini Lions meeting in the final at 3:30 PM at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. The road to the final saw Sudurpaschim dominate the playoffs early, defeating Biratnagar Kings by 77 runs in Qualifier 1. Lumbini, who had finished strongly in the league stage, secured their place by beating Biratnagar by 40 runs in Qualifier 2, eliminating last year’s finalists from the title race.
Across the league stage, the eight participating teams—Janakpur Bolts, Sudurpaschim Royals, Biratnagar Kings, Lumbini Lions, Pokhara Avengers, Karnali Yaks, Chitwan Rhinos, and Kathmandu Gorkhas—played 28 matches marked by high scores, tight finishes, and standout individual performances.
Sudurpaschim topped the league and advanced to the playoffs, where they defeated Biratnagar by 77 runs in Qualifier 1 to secure a place in the final. Kathmandu exited in the Eliminator after Lumbini chased down 112 to advance. Lumbini then sealed their finals spot with a 40-run victory over Biratnagar in Qualifier 2, setting up a title clash against Sudurpaschim on December 13.
Lumbini Lions and Sudurpaschim Royals to compete in NPL 2025 fi...
For the first time, matches in the NPL were played under newly installed floodlights at the TU Ground. The lights were installed and tested specifically for this edition, allowing several fixtures to be scheduled at night—a significant shift for domestic cricket in Nepal. The arrangement introduced added security considerations, as night games tend to draw larger crowds and require additional crowd-management measures.
Security agencies had mobilized 1,223 police personnel—both in plainclothes and uniform—to secure the stadium and surrounding areas. The ground remained under 24-hour surveillance, supported by 41 CCTV cameras, layered wire fencing, and routine screenings. A parapet with a seating capacity of 9,941 spectators had been constructed for the event. Authorities strengthened checks after observing rising turnout near match days and taking into account the heightened security sensitivity following recent incidents in the region.
Ticketing for the tournament had opened earlier and saw heavy demand. The general tickets were priced at Rs 500 and premium tickets at Rs 1,500 for the opening day and Saturdays. For weekday league matches, the rates were Rs 500 for general and Rs 1,000 for premium. The prices for the playoffs and final had been fixed at Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively, while a season pass cost Rs 15,000. Organizers projected revenue of Rs 80–120 million from ticket sales, reflecting strong public interest throughout the competition.
In total, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) secured sponsorships worth around Rs 155 million for this season, with Siddhartha Bank as the main sponsor and Ncell as the powered partner. Several other corporate brands were associated with various segments of the league. Matches were broadcast live through DishHome’s OTT platform under a bidding agreement of Rs 53 million, with CAN receiving 71 percent of the revenue above the base amount.
The prize money remains unchanged from the first edition: Rs 11 million for the winner, Rs 5.1 million for the runner-up, Rs 2.5 million for third place, and Rs 1.5 million for fourth—amounts that both Sudurpaschim and Lumbini will contest for in the finale.
