After 13 match days and 25 games, three fixtures remain in the league stage of the inaugural Nepal Premier League (NPL) at the TU International Cricket Ground. These games will determine the Top 4 teams and their standings.
The Playoffs, starting December 18, will see Qualifier 1 (Top 2 teams) and the Eliminator (bottom two among the Top 4). The winner of Qualifier 1 secures a final spot, while the loser faces the Eliminator winner in Qualifier 2 for another chance.
On Match Day 13, Chitwan defeated Janakpur by 32 runs, keeping their playoff hopes alive and ending Biratnagar’s chances. Earlier, Kathmandu defeated Pokhara by six wickets in a dominant chase, improving their playoff prospects.
Chitwan and Karnali, with eight points each, are 3rd and 4th, while Kathmandu (6 points) needs a win against Biratnagar. Karnali faces Sudurpaschim, who can top the table with two games remaining. Current leader Janakpur finished their league stage with a loss to Chitwan.
In Chitwan’s must-win game, Kushal Malla (72 off 41) and Ravi Bopara (44 off 36) anchored their innings to post 180/5. Janakpur’s chase faltered despite James Neesham’s 65 off 24, falling 32 runs short. Lalit Rajbanshi, with a standout spell (2 maidens, 2/11), became NPL’s leading wicket-taker, but his efforts couldn’t save Janakpur.
