Key points
- Kathmandu Gorkhas scored 160/8 in 20 overs after being asked to bat first at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on November 7, 2026.
- David Warner top-scored with 66 from 50 balls, hitting nine fours and one six; Sahil Patel made 38 from 36 balls.
- Warner and Patel shared a 104-run opening partnership that lasted 13.2 overs.
- Sahan Arachchige provided a late boost with an unbeaten 34 from 15 deliveries as Kathmandu finished on 160/8.
- Jahandad Khan took 4/23 in four overs as Lumbini Lions were bowled out for 124 in 19.3 overs.
- Lumbini were reduced to 28/6 before Sundeep Jora made 45 and added 46 runs for the eighth wicket with Abhishesh Gautam, who scored 16.
- The 36-run defeat ended Lumbini Lions’ unbeaten start to the 2026 Nepal Premier League season.
Kathmandu Gorkhas ended defending champions Lumbini Lions’ unbeaten start to the 2026 Nepal Premier League with a 36-run victory in the 18th match at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on November 7. David Warner’s 66 off 50 balls set up Kathmandu’s total of 160/8, before Jahandad Khan produced a decisive spell of 4/23 to bowl Lumbini out for 124 in 19.3 overs.
Lumbini won the toss and chose to field, but the decision was quickly challenged by a productive opening partnership. Warner and Sahil Patel added 104 runs for the first wicket, giving Kathmandu the platform to post a competitive total. The Lions’ reply then unravelled in the powerplay, leaving them six wickets down for 28 and facing a steep recovery.
Warner and Patel build a 104-run opening stand
Warner led the innings with 66 from 50 deliveries, striking nine fours and one six at a strike rate of 132. Sahil Patel supported him with 38 off 36 balls, including two fours and two sixes. Their partnership lasted 13.2 overs and carried Kathmandu beyond the 100-run mark before Sher Malla broke through by dismissing Patel.
Malla also removed Warner, who fell at 115 in the 16th over. Those wickets began a middle-order slide, with Kathmandu losing three wickets for 13 runs as Karan KC and William Bosisto departed in quick succession. Abhishesh Gautam claimed both Karan and Bosisto, while Malla finished with two wickets for 19 runs from his four overs.
Sahan Arachchige ensured the innings did not lose momentum at the death. He remained unbeaten on 34 from just 15 balls, striking three fours and one six. Jahandad Khan added a brisk six from three deliveries, and Kathmandu reached 160/8 from their 20 overs. Gautam finished with 2/15, while Ruben Trumpelmann took 2/24 for Lumbini.
Jahandad Khan tears through Lumbini’s top order
Lumbini’s chase of 161 began poorly. Jahandad Khan struck early, dismissing D’Arcy Short and Aasif Sheikh in the opening two overs. He then bowled Niroshan Dickwella, while Karan KC removed captain Rohit Kumar Paudel. Jahandad returned to dismiss Dilip Nath, and Grant Stewart fell to KC, leaving the defending champions at 28/6 after 4.3 overs.
Jahandad completed an outstanding four-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 4/23 from four overs. KC supported him with 2/24, while Shahab Alam, Santosh Yadav, Rashid Khan and Arachchige each took a wicket. The pressure created by the early strikes meant Lumbini had to rebuild rather than attack the target at the required rate.
Jora offers resistance but the target remains out of reach
Sundeep Jora provided Lumbini’s main resistance with 45 from 46 balls, hitting three fours. He was the only batter to make a substantial contribution after the early collapse. Jora shared a 46-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Abhishesh Gautam, who scored 16 from 17 deliveries, helping the total move beyond 90.
But the recovery came too late. Jora was dismissed at 114 in the 18th over, and Sher Malla fell soon afterwards. Lumbini were all out for 124 in 19.3 overs, 36 runs short of the target. The scorecard records 14 extras in the innings, including five penalty runs.
Victory ends Lumbini’s unbeaten start
The result was a significant one in the league campaign because Lumbini had entered the match unbeaten in the season. The NPL match report noted that the defeat ended a 10-match unbeaten run spanning the end of the previous season and the opening fixtures of the current campaign.
For Kathmandu, the win extended a positive run after their opening defeat to Janakpur Bolts. They had beaten Karnali Yaks by four wickets and Biratnagar Kings by nine wickets before overcoming the defending champions. Warner’s 66 was his highest score across his first three innings for the franchise, following 16 on debut and an unbeaten 44 in the previous match.
The match also demonstrated the value of a complete team performance. Warner and Patel provided the foundation, Arachchige supplied late acceleration, and the bowling attack converted a defendable total into a comfortable victory. Jahandad’s early strikes were central to the outcome, leaving Lumbini with too much to do after the first few overs.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Kathmandu Gorkhas vs Lumbini Lions 18th match?
Kathmandu Gorkhas won by 36 runs at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on November 7, 2026. Kathmandu scored 160/8 in 20 overs, while Lumbini Lions were bowled out for 124 in 19.3 overs in their chase of 161.
How many runs did David Warner score against Lumbini Lions?
David Warner scored 66 from 50 balls for Kathmandu Gorkhas, hitting nine fours and one six. He shared a 104-run opening partnership with Sahil Patel, who contributed 38 from 36 deliveries, to give Kathmandu a strong start.
Who was the Player of the Match in Kathmandu vs Lumbini?
David Warner was named Player of the Match after scoring 66 from 50 balls. His innings helped Kathmandu Gorkhas reach 160/8, a total they defended successfully as Lumbini Lions were dismissed for 124 in 19.3 overs.
How many wickets did Jahandad Khan take against Lumbini?
Jahandad Khan took four wickets for 23 runs in his four overs. He removed D’Arcy Short, Aasif Sheikh, Niroshan Dickwella and Dilip Nath as Lumbini’s chase collapsed to 28/6 in the powerplay.
What was Lumbini Lions’ score in the chase?
Lumbini Lions were bowled out for 124 in 19.3 overs while chasing Kathmandu’s 161-run target. Sundeep Jora top-scored with 45, but the early loss of six wickets for 28 runs left the defending champions too far behind.