Kathmandu: Lumbini Lions clinched the championship of the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), defeating Sudurpaschim Royals by six wickets in the final.

Speaking after the victory, Lumbini captain Rohit Kumar Paudel said unwavering belief and team unity were the cornerstones of their success. “From the very beginning, we had faith that we would win the title. The entire team stayed united, and that belief carried us through to becoming champions,” he said.

For his outstanding all-round performance throughout the tournament, Paudel was named Player of the Tournament and awarded a car. He finished the season as the second-highest run-scorer with 276 runs and also claimed 10 wickets with the ball. His consistent batting performances also earned him a Pulsar bike as the Emerging Player of the Tournament.

Meanwhile, Sudurpaschim Royals, who finished runners-up for the second consecutive season, expressed disappointment over the final outcome. Head coach Jagat Tamata said the loss overshadowed the team’s month-long efforts. “We worked hard for an entire month with the goal of winning the title, but losing the final made it all feel futile,” he remarked.

Tamata attributed the defeat primarily to batting failures. “After winning the toss and choosing to bat, we posted a low total. That made it easier for the opposition to chase and secure the win,” he added.