Lumbini Lions’ Fairytale Triumph in Nepal Premier League Season Two
The second season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) has culminated in a remarkable Cinderella story, with the Lumbini Lions defying all odds to clinch the championship title. Their journey was nothing short of spectacular, transforming from the bottom-dwellers of the inaugural season to the triumphant kings of the second.
From Last Place to Playoff Contenders
The inaugural season saw the Lumbini Lions languishing at the foot of the table, managing only a single victory in seven matches. Their campaign was marked by a solitary win against the Chitwan Rhinos, a stark contrast to their resurgence in the second season. The Lions kicked off their second season with a win against the very same Chitwan Rhinos on November 20, signaling a shift in their fortunes.
Despite an optimistic declaration from skipper Rohit Kumar Paudel after their opening win, the Lions faced a challenging period, suffering three consecutive defeats against the Karnali Yaks, Kathmandu Gorkhas, and Sudurpaschim Royals. This slump raised concerns about their playoff prospects, mirroring the struggles of their previous season. However, the team demonstrated incredible resilience, staging a dramatic comeback with three consecutive victories over the Pokhara Avengers, Biratnagar Kings, and Janakpur Bolts in the remaining league-stage matches. This impressive run secured them a fourth-place finish and a coveted spot in the playoffs.
Their victory against the defending champions, Janakpur Royals, on December 5, not only sealed their playoff berth but also extinguished the playoff hopes of Chitwan and Pokhara.
A Grueling Path to the Final
The road to the final was far from smooth for the Lumbini Lions. They had to navigate through two high-stakes elimination matches to earn their place in the championship game. Their tenacity shone through as they defeated Kathmandu by four wickets in the Eliminator match held on Wednesday. Without any respite, they then triumphed over Biratnagar by 40 runs in Qualifier 2 on Thursday. These victories propelled them into the final, where they were set to face the formidable Sudurpaschim Royals, a team that had reached the final for the second consecutive season with an impressive record of only one defeat in eight matches.
Recognizing their underdog status, Lumbini’s opener, D’Arcy Short, expressed his team’s determination after their Qualifier 2 victory: “We are the underdogs. We will now focus on the final, win it and hold the trophy.” This sentiment underscored their unwavering belief and commitment to achieving their ultimate goal.
Dominating Performance in the Grand Finale
The final match itself did not quite live up to the billing of an epic showdown. The Sudurpaschim Royals, having opted to bat first in the previous season’s final and faced a similar outcome, chose to bat again after winning the toss. Skipper Dipendra Singh Airee of Sudurpaschim expressed his resolve to avoid a repeat of history, stating, “We are not going to repeat the same result in the final this time.”
However, their decision to bat first did not yield the desired results. While they had amassed 184 runs in the previous season’s final, the Royals were bundled out for a mere 85 runs in 19.1 overs in the second season’s finale.
The intensity of the match was evident from the very first over. The Lions’ bowlers, particularly Ruben Trumpelmann, were on fire. The first ball of the match saw an appeal for an edge, followed by a tense moment between Ishan Pandey and Trumpelmann. The over concluded with the crucial wicket of Binod Bhandari, caught out on the last ball, setting a strong precedent for the Lions.
The momentum firmly shifted towards Lumbini as they dismantled the Royals’ batting lineup during the powerplay, claiming three wickets for just 20 runs. The Royals’ batting order crumbled, with the loss of Bhandari (0 off 2), Sheldon Jackson (1 off 3), and Aarif Sheikh (6 off 6).
A pivotal moment in the match occurred in the 11th over when Rohit Kumar Paudel etched his name in NPL history by taking the league’s second-ever hat-trick, and the first in a final. He dismissed Dipendra Singh Airee (13 off 20) caught out by Trumpelmann, followed by Sundeep Jora caught out by himself, and Puneet Mehra trapped leg before wicket. Airee, a key player for the Royals, had been seen complaining about sledging from Lumbini’s wicketkeeper, Niroshan Dickwella, earlier in the innings.
Harmeet Singh and Scott Kuggeleijn managed to score 10 runs each for the Royals, but it was Ishan Pandey, Bhandari’s opening partner, who top-scored with 33 runs off 51 balls, becoming the eighth wicket to fall. The Lumbini bowling attack was exceptional, with Paudel, Trumpelmann, and Sher Malla each taking three wickets, while Tilak Bhandari claimed the final wicket.
A Dominant Chase
The Lumbini Lions’ chase began with explosive intent. In stark contrast to the Royals’ powerplay performance, the Lions raced to 27 runs in the very first over, with Dinesh Adhikari smashing four sixes off Airee. Adhikari and his opening partner, D’Arcy Short, forged a rapid 50-run partnership in just 21 deliveries. Though Short departed soon after for 14 off 13, Adhikari continued his onslaught, falling just short of a record-breaking fifty at 42 off 13 balls, featuring one four and five sixes.
Niroshan Dickwella then joined forces with Paudel, steering the team towards the target. With only two runs needed for victory and 84 runs on the board, Paudel attempted a winning shot but was brilliantly caught by Airee at extra-cover for 16 off 12. Dickwella leveled the scores with a single, but Sundeep Jora was dismissed for a duck on the third ball he faced while attempting a scoop shot for the winning run. It was Dilip Nath who calmly stepped in to score the winning single, securing the championship for the Lumbini Lions with an impressive 11 overs to spare.
Individual Accolades and Future Outlook
Beyond the coveted trophy, the tournament also recognized outstanding individual performances. Three motorcycles and a car were awarded to deserving players. Sandeep Lamichhane, Rohit Kumar Paudel, and Sher Malla received motorcycles for being the highest wicket-taker among local players, highest run-scorer, and emerging player, respectively. Malla expressed his delight at receiving his first bike and his pride in being named the emerging player, finishing the tournament as a joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets alongside Lamichhane and Abinash Bohara.
Rohit Kumar Paudel, the captain of the national men’s team, was honored with the car for making the biggest impact in the tournament. A visibly elated Paudel drove the car around the ground with his mother, sharing the joy with the cheering fans. He emphasized that his primary focus was on winning the title with his team, stating, “Car or bike were not on my mind in this tournament. All I wanted was to win this title with my team. And as it happened, I am very happy.”
Sudurpaschim’s head coach, Jagat Tamata, graciously accepted the defeat, acknowledging his team’s efforts and vowing to return stronger next season.
The final match marked the conclusion of the 27-day tournament, which commenced on November 27 and featured 32 matches played over 23 match days. As the Lumbini Lions hoisted the NPL trophy, the second season of the ‘Festival of Himalayas’ drew to a close, leaving a trail of inspiring performances and a triumphant underdog story.