Kathmandu: The final match of the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) T20 cricket is being held today at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. The match, scheduled to begin at 3:30 pm, will see defending champions Sudurpaschim Royals take on Lumbini Lions.

National Team Leaders in Spotlight
The final also features a high-profile contest between the captain and vice-captain of Nepal’s national cricket team. Lumbini Lions are led by national team captain Rohit Paudel, while Sudurpaschim Royals are captained by national vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airi.

New Champion Guaranteed
With defending champions Janakpur Bolts finishing at the bottom of the league stage and exiting the tournament, the NPL is set to crown a new champion this season.

Road to the Final
Sudurpaschim Royals booked their place in the final by defeating Biratnagar Kings by 77 runs in the first qualifier. Lumbini Lions followed suit by overcoming Biratnagar by 40 runs in the second qualifier.

After losing to Sudurpaschim in the first qualifier, Biratnagar earned another opportunity through the second qualifier but failed to progress further.

Title Aspirations
Sudurpaschim, led by Dipendra Singh Airi, are aiming to clinch the NPL title after falling short in last year’s final, where they lost to Janakpur Bolts by five wickets.

Lumbini Lions, under Rohit Paudel’s captaincy, are enjoying a remarkable turnaround. The team had finished last in the league stage in the previous edition but has now emerged as a strong title contender. In the league stage this season, Sudurpaschim defeated Lumbini by seven wickets.

Prize Money and Standings
The NPL champions will receive a cash prize of Rs 11 million. The runners-up will be awarded Rs 5.1 million, while the third- and fourth-placed teams will receive Rs 2.5 million and Rs 1.5 million respectively. Biratnagar Kings finished third, while Kathmandu Gorkhas secured fourth place.

Tournament Overview
The eight-team tournament, organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), began on November 1.