Lumbini Lions struggled to put up a challenging total in Qualifier 2 of the Nepal Premier League on Thursday, managing only 134-8 against Biratnagar Kings at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur, despite a steady second-wicket stand between captain Rohit Paudel and D’Arcy Short.

Sent in to bat after Biratnagar skipper Sandeep Lamichhane won the toss, Lumbini were rattled early when Dinesh Adhikari departed for just one run in the second over.

Paudel and Short then steadied the innings, sharing a 69-run partnership off 54 balls.

Paudel made 34 off 30 deliveries, hitting two fours and a six before being bowled by an impressive Subash Bhandari. Short top-scored with 45 off 41 balls, striking three boundaries and a six, but he too fell to Bhandari, who dismantled Lumbini’s middle order.

The Lions faltered after the dismissal of their set batters. Sundeep Jora and JJ Smuts were sent back without scoring, while Dilip Nath managed only a single. Sher Malla added seven runs, and Ruben Trumpelmann (11) and Abhishek Gautam (2) saw the innings through to 20 overs.

Biratnagar’s bowling attack maintained tight control throughout. Bhandari spearheaded the spell with figures of 3-14 from four overs, justifying the decision to bring him back into the XI.

Pratish GC also picked up three wickets, conceding 27 runs in four overs, while Lamichhane delivered a disciplined spell of 2-18.

Biratnagar were coming off a heavy 77-run loss to Sudurpashchim Royals in Qualifier 1, while Lumbini had edged Kathmandu Gorkhas by four wickets in the Eliminator. The winner of Thursday’s match will face Sudurpashchim in Saturday’s final.