Lumbini Lions to face Sudurpaschim Royals in NPL opener
Reigning champions Lumbini kick off their title defence at Kirtipur, leading a 27-day fixture list that features 21 league matches and four playoff games. Post file photo
The Cricket Association of Nepal officially unveiled the schedule for the third season of the Nepal Premier League, setting the stage for a 27-day franchise T20 tournament at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur.
The third season of Nepal’s premier domestic T20 competition will kick off on October 26, with defending champions Lumbini Lions taking on two-time finalists Sudurpaschim Royals in the opening match.
The tournament will run through November 21, culminating in the Grand Finale under lights at Kirtipur.
According to the official fixture list, matches during the league phase will follow a mix of single and double-header matchdays.
Single-header fixtures are scheduled for a 4:30pm start. On double-header days, the first match will begin at 12:30pm, followed by the second fixture at 4:30pm.
The group stage will feature eight franchise teams—Lumbini Lions, Sudurpaschim Royals, Biratnagar Kings, Chitwan Rhinos, Karnali Yaks, Janakpur Bolts, Pokhara Avengers and Kathmandu Gorkhas—competing in a single round-robin format.
Action intensifies on the second day, October 27, which hosts the tournament’s first double-header: Biratnagar Kings clash with Chitwan Rhinos in the afternoon fixture before Karnali Yaks meet inaugural season’s champion Janakpur Bolts in the evening.
Organisers have incorporated four designated rest days during the group phase—October 30, November 4, November 8 and November 11—amid a demanding match schedule.
The round-robin phase concludes on November 15, with a double-header featuring Chitwan Rhinos against Karnali Yaks and Pokhara Avengers taking on Kathmandu Gorkhas.
The top four teams at the end of the league stage will advance to the playoffs, which begin on November 17.
The top two teams will contest in Qualifier 1 on November 17 for a direct berth in the final. The third and fourth-placed teams will fight for survival in the Eliminator on November 18.
The loser of Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator will meet in Qualifier 2 on November 19 to decide the second finalist.
After a rest day on November 20, the tournament will crown its Season 3 champion in the Grand Finale on November 21.
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