Lumbini Lions defeated Chitwan Rhinos by six wickets in their Nepal Premier League (NPL) fixture at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur on Thursday, successfully chasing a target of 143 with nine balls to spare.

Earlier, Chitwan had posted 142/7, building their innings around Ravi Bopara’s controlled 66 off 55 balls—his second straight half-century.

Captain Kushal Malla scored 21, while Saif Zaib and Dev Khanal chipped in with 15 and 14. Lumbini restricted Chitwan through disciplined bowling, led by Ruben Trumpelmann’s 3–23, Abhishesh Gautam’s 2–15, and Gulbadin Naib’s 2–33.

In reply, Lumbini recovered from early wickets through a composed partnership between captain Rohit Paudel and Gulbadin Naib, who added 60 runs for the fourth wicket. Paudel made 39 off 44 balls before falling to Sohail Tanvir, while Naib remained unbeaten on 44 from 24 deliveries, striking three fours and three sixes.

Openers Sandeep Jora (28) and D’Arcy Short (11) departed early, and Dilip Nath was run out for 10. For Chitwan, Rijan Dhakal claimed two wickets and Tanvir one.

The victory marked Lumbini’s first win of the season, while Chitwan suffered their opening defeat after beating Karnali Yaks in their first match.