Two teams locked on four points meet in the first match of Friday’s Nepal Premier League double-header, and both know how much this one matters. Karnali Yaks sit third on the table with a game in hand, while Sudurpaschim Royals are sixth and cannot afford another slip in a crowded mid-table race. With David Miller making his Karnali debut and Dipendra Singh Airee leading a Royals side that has beaten the Yaks both times the teams have met, the 16th match of NPL 2026 at Kirtipur has all the ingredients of a close contest.
Match Overview
This is a league-stage fixture in the third season of the Nepal Premier League, and it carries real weight in the playoff race. Both teams have four points, but Karnali have played one match fewer, so a win here would lift them firmly into the top four, while a Royals win would pull them level on matches played and push them up the table on net run rate. The match is the first of two games at the same ground on Friday, 6 November 2026, with Chitwan Rhinos facing Pokhara Avengers later in the day.
Karnali come into the game after a defeat, having lost to Kathmandu Gorkhas by four wickets in their last outing despite posting 180 for 6. Sudurpaschim, by contrast, arrive with momentum after chasing down 130 against Chitwan Rhinos to win by five wickets, with Brandon McMullen’s 43 off 21 balls leading the chase. The contrast sets up a fascinating battle between Karnali’s strong top order and a Royals bowling attack that defended a modest total against these same opponents last season.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Karnali Yaks vs Sudur Paschim Royals, 16th Match |
| Tournament | Nepal Premier League 2026 (Season 3) |
| Date | Friday, 6 November 2026 |
| Start time | 12:15 PM IST (12:30 PM Nepal time, 11:45 AM PKT) |
| Toss | Karnali Yaks won the toss and opted to bowl |
| Venue | Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur |
| Format | T20 |
| Captains | Sompal Kami (Karnali Yaks), Dipendra Singh Airee (Sudurpaschim Royals) |
Squads and Confirmed Playing XIs
Karnali Yaks are captained by Sompal Kami, with David Miller, Hussain Talat, Mark Watt and Ariful Islam among the overseas names in the wider squad. The local core features Gulshan Jha, Pawan Sarraf, Nandan Yadav, Deepak Dumre, Yuvraj Khatri, Unish Bikram Thakuri, Surya Tamang, Dipendra Rawat, Bipin Sharma, Shubh Kansakar, Sachin Sharma, Diwan Pun, Jishan Alam and Hikmat Shahi. The official NPL site reports that David Miller is set for his Karnali debut in this match, which would be a major boost to a batting line-up that already posted 180 in its last game.
Sudurpaschim Royals are captained by Dipendra Singh Airee, with Scott Kuggeleijn, Brandon McMullen, Saif Zaib and Tharindu Ratnayake as the overseas signings, plus Sherfane Rutherford in the squad. The local group includes Binod Bhandari, Aarif Sheikh, Ishan Pandey, Anil Kharel, Hemant Dhami, Abinash Bohara, Dipak Bohara, Milan Bohara, Tek Rawat, Sachin Bhatt, Hikmat Mahara, Aayub Chand and Tek Raj Thalal. The Royals are coached by Misbah-ul-Haq and finished as runners-up in each of the first two NPL seasons.
The confirmed Karnali XI is Ariful Islam, Pawan Sarraf, Hussain Talat, Deepak Dumre (wicketkeeper), David Miller, Mark Watt, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami (captain), Nandan Yadav, Surya Tamang and Unish Bikram Thakuri. Karnali won the toss and chose to bowl first.
The confirmed Royals XI is Binod Bhandari (wicketkeeper), Saif Zaib, Aarif Sheikh, Brandon McMullen, Dipendra Singh Airee (captain), Ishan Pandey, Anil Kharel, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tharindu Ratnayake, Hemant Dhami and Abinash Bohara. Sherfane Rutherford is on the bench.
Key Players to Watch
- David Miller (Karnali Yaks): The South African finisher is making his Karnali debut in this match, adding proven T20 power to the middle order.
- Ariful Islam (Karnali Yaks): The Yaks’ leading run-scorer in NPL 2026 with 119 runs, including a 44 off 22 balls against Kathmandu Gorkhas.
- Sompal Kami (Karnali Yaks, captain): The Yaks’ leading wicket-taker in the tournament with seven wickets, and a key bowler with the new ball.
- Dipendra Singh Airee (Sudurpaschim Royals, captain): The Royals’ leading run-scorer with 79 runs, and the Player of the Match in both previous meetings with Karnali.
- Brandon McMullen (Sudurpaschim Royals): In form after his 43 off 21 balls sealed the win over Chitwan Rhinos.
- Anil Kharel (Sudurpaschim Royals): The Royals’ leading wicket-taker in NPL 2026 with six wickets.
Head-to-Head and Recent Form
Sudurpaschim Royals have won both previous NPL meetings between these sides, and Dipendra Singh Airee was Player of the Match in each of them. Karnali’s batting has struggled against the Royals in both games, being bowled out for 101 and 94, so the Yaks will be keen to put that record right in front of a big Kirtipur crowd.
| Meeting | Result |
|---|---|
| 16 December 2024, Match 28 (NPL 2024) | Sudurpaschim Royals won by 6 wickets (Karnali 101 all out, Royals 105/4 in 15.2 overs) |
| 24 November 2025, Match 10 (NPL 2025) | Sudurpaschim Royals won by 45 runs (Royals 139/9, Karnali 94 all out in 19.2 overs) |
| Overall | Sudurpaschim Royals 2 wins, Karnali Yaks 0 wins |
In NPL 2026 so far, Karnali have won two and lost one of their three matches, sitting third with four points and a net run rate of +0.295. They beat Janakpur Bolts by 19 runs and Biratnagar Kings in their first two games, then lost to Kathmandu Gorkhas by four wickets after scoring 180 for 6. Sudurpaschim have won two and lost two of their four matches, sitting sixth with four points and a net run rate of -1.064. They lost the season opener to Lumbini Lions by seven wickets, beat Pokhara Avengers, lost to Biratnagar Kings, and then beat Chitwan Rhinos by five wickets. Readers following the Royals’ season can also see how their campaign began in our Lumbini Lions vs Sudurpaschim Royals, NPL 2026 1st Match preview, while the Janakpur Bolts vs Lumbini Lions, 14th Match preview shows how tight the mid-table race has become. For a reminder of how quickly a close NPL game can turn, our Biratnagar Kings vs Janakpur Bolts, 12th Match recap covers the two-run thriller from earlier this week.
Pitch and Weather Report
The TU Ground in Kirtipur has been a balanced venue in NPL 2026, with the average first-innings total in the tournament at 157 and the average second-innings total at 137. Across men’s T20 matches at the ground, the average first-innings score is around 152, and chasing sides have won roughly half of the completed games. Early in the day, overnight moisture and morning fog can help the seamers with the new ball, before the surface bakes out and flattens under the afternoon sun, bringing the batters and the spinners into the game in the middle overs.
Captains at Kirtipur have often chosen to field first in this tournament, but a report on the morning of the match notes that winning the toss has given teams no clear edge across the first 14 matches of the season, with poor fielding and aggressive batting cancelling out the toss advantage. A total in the region of 150 to 160 should be competitive in this daytime fixture.
The weather in Kathmandu on Friday, 6 November 2026 is expected to be dry, with a daytime high of around 22 degrees Celsius, smoky haze, and no chance of rain during playing hours. Conditions at the start of play should be clear and pleasant at around 20 degrees, so a full 20-over match is expected with no weather interruption.
Where to Watch and Live Streaming
In Nepal, the match is televised on Himalaya TV and Himalaya Sports, and streamed on NetTV, which is also the tournament’s worldwide streaming partner, with DishHome GO also carrying the games. In India, the match is shown on Star Sports Select 2 and Select 2 HD on television, and streamed live on FanCode. Fans watching from outside Nepal and India can follow the match through NetTV’s worldwide stream, and should check regional availability and subscription requirements before the 12:15 PM IST start, as streaming rights vary by territory.
FAQs
When is Karnali Yaks vs Sudur Paschim Royals, NPL 2026 16th Match?
The match is on Friday, 6 November 2026, starting at 12:15 PM IST (12:30 PM Nepal time, 11:45 AM PKT).
Where is the match being played?
At the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, Nepal.
Who captains the two teams?
Sompal Kami captains Karnali Yaks and Dipendra Singh Airee captains Sudurpaschim Royals.
What is the head-to-head record between Karnali Yaks and Sudurpaschim Royals?
Sudurpaschim Royals lead 2-0. They won by six wickets on 16 December 2024 and by 45 runs on 24 November 2025, with Dipendra Singh Airee named Player of the Match in both games.
Where can I watch Karnali Yaks vs Sudur Paschim Royals live?
In Nepal on Himalaya TV and NetTV, in India on Star Sports Select 2 and FanCode, and worldwide through NetTV’s streaming service.
Conclusion
Karnali Yaks vs Sudur Paschim Royals is a genuine mid-table six-pointer: both teams have four points, Karnali hold a game in hand and the better net run rate, and the Royals hold a perfect head-to-head record against these opponents. With David Miller making his debut, Karnali’s batting looks strong enough to chase down the Royals’ 176 for 6, but the Royals have twice bowled this side out cheaply and have a captain in Dipendra Singh Airee who has dominated this fixture. Expect a competitive match at Kirtipur, with the early overs, the middle-over spin and the death bowling likely to decide it.
Full live scores, squads and match details are available on Cricbuzz here: https://www.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scores/177711/kay-vs-spr-16th-match-nepal-premier-league-2026
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