Lumbini Lions Vs Sudurpaschim Royals Highlights, NPL 2025: Bhandari’s 69* Powers Royals To 7-Wicket Win

Hello and welcome back to our live blog for the Lumbini Lions vs Sudurpaschim Royals clash. Stay tuned for all the latest updates and key moments from the match.

Nepal: Kantipur Max TV, Dish Home Go app

India: Star Sports and FanCode

Sudurpaschim Royals have won the toss and have opted to bowl first against Lumbini Lions.

Sudurpaschim Royals (Playing XI): Josh Brown, Binod Bhandari(w), Chris Lynn, Aarif Sheikh, Ishan Pandey, Dipendra Singh Airee(c), Harmeet Singh, Scott Kuggeleijn, Naren Saud, Hemant Dhami, Abinash Bohara

Lumbini Lions (Playing XI): Sundeep Jora, D Arcy Short, Rohit Paudel(c), Gulbadin Naib, Dilip Nath(w), Thomas Draca, Sumit Maharjan, Ruben Trumpelmann, Sher Malla, Abhishesh Gautam, Tilak Bhandari

At the crease, D Arcy Short and Sumit Maharjan get ready as Kuggeleijn opens the attack. The game bursts into life with D Arcy Short dispatching two cracking fours, first off the square of the wicket, then racing to deep extra cover.

D Arcy Short’s promising start comes to an abrupt end as Hemant Dhami strikes, bowling him for 18 off 11 balls, which included four crisp boundaries.

Dipendra Singh starts the over with a single to Dilip Nath at square leg, followed by two runs to Rohit Paudel at mid-wicket, keeping the scoreboard ticking steadily.

Abinash Bohara keeps the runs ticking with singles to Dilip Nath at short mid-wicket and long-off, and to Rohit Paudel square of the wicket.

Hemant Dhami concedes a boundary to Gulbadin at deep mid-wicket, but the batsman adds two more runs to sweeper cover in the same over.

The Lumbini Lions wrap up their innings at 143 all out in 19.4 overs, a tricky total to defend. And now, fresh faces take the crease for the chase: Josh Brown and Bhandari. Brown’s on strike as Trumpelmann steams in to open the bowling. The tension is high, the crowd’s buzzing, and the first ball of the innings is about to set the tone!

Chase Time! Josh Brown and Bhandari stride out to the middle, ready to take on the Lumbini Lions total. Brown’s on strike, eyes set, while Trumpelmann charges in to open the attack. Every ball counts now, can they get the chase rolling straight away?

D’Arcy Short loops another one in… Aarif Sheikh shuffles, looks for the gap, but nope, nothing doing this time as it drops straight to the fielder. The pressure nudges up.

Next ball, Short goes a touch quicker, Aarif leans in and works it away toward deep mid-wicket. Finally, a release, just a single, but it keeps things moving. The crowd exhales with him.

Binod Bhandari hits the landmark in style. The crowd lifts with him as he raises the bat, fifty up, crafted with crisp timing, smart rotation, and just the right touch of flair. He’s been the heartbeat of this chase so far, and the momentum feels firmly with him now.

Thomas Draca charges in and Aarif Sheikh just helps it along to short fine leg, easy single, nothing flashy, but it keeps the board ticking.

Next ball, boom. Draca drops it a touch too straight and Bhandari whips it away with zero hesitation. The ball sails over fine leg, the crowd’s up on their feet, and that’s a clean, confident SIX. The chase suddenly feels alive again.

Aarif Sheikh nudges one to short fine leg, just a single, keeping the scoreboard moving. Next ball, Bhandari takes charge! He swings hard, and the ball flies over fine leg for a massive SIX. The crowd erupts, what a statement!

Sudurpaschim Royals chased down Lumbini Lions’ 143 with ease, reaching 145/3 in 18.2 overs to win by 7 wickets. Binod Bhandari was the star, remaining unbeaten on 69, guiding the Royals with calm authority and finishing as Player of the Match. The Lions set a modest target, but Bhandari’s timing and shot selection made the difference as the Royals wrapped up the game comfortably.

That’s a wrap from us. The action ends here, but we’ll be back with another live blog soon. Until then, bye-bye and keep the cricket spirit alive.