Defending champions Lumbini Lions put their unbeaten record on the line when they face an in-form Kathmandu Gorkhas side in the 18th match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Saturday, 7 November 2026. It is the only match of the day, and it is a genuine top-of-the-table clash: the Lions sit first with seven points from four games, while the Gorkhas are fourth with four points from three and arrive on the back of two convincing wins.
Lumbini are the only unbeaten side left in the tournament, and they have now gone ten NPL matches without a defeat, including one washout. Kathmandu, meanwhile, have found their rhythm since losing their opening game, with David Warner and Rashid Khan both making match-winning contributions. A win for the Lions would stretch their lead at the top; a win for the Gorkhas would lift them firmly into the playoff places and end the champions’ unbeaten run.
Match Overview
This is a league-stage fixture in the third season of the Nepal Premier League, and every point matters in a short single round-robin where only the top four teams reach the playoffs. Lumbini have three wins and one no result from their four matches, while Kathmandu have won two and lost one of their three. The Gorkhas also hold a 2–1 lead in the head-to-head record, but Lumbini won the most recent meeting — last season’s Eliminator — which ended Kathmandu’s campaign in NPL 2025. That recent history adds an extra edge to a match that already carries real weight in the playoff race.
Match Details
| Match | Kathmandu Gorkhas vs Lumbini Lions, 18th Match |
| Tournament | Nepal Premier League 2026 (Season 3) |
| Date | Saturday, 7 November 2026 |
| Start time | 4:45 PM IST (5:00 PM Nepal time, 11:15 AM GMT) |
| Venue | Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur |
| Format | T20 |
| Captains | Karan KC (Kathmandu Gorkhas), Rohit Kumar Paudel (Lumbini Lions) |
Probable Playing XIs and Squads
The probable playing XIs below are projected combinations based on the teams’ recent selections. The confirmed XIs will only be known at the toss, so check the match-day announcement before the first ball.
Kathmandu Gorkhas Probable XI
- David Warner
- Sahil Patel (wicketkeeper)
- William Bosisto
- Bhim Sharki
- Sahan Arachchige
- Rashid Khan
- Jahandad Khan
- Karan KC (captain)
- Santosh Yadav
- Shahab Alam
- Dev Shah
Lumbini Lions Probable XI
- D’Arcy Short
- Aasif Sheikh
- Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper)
- Rohit Paudel (captain)
- Dilip Nath
- Shamim Hossain
- Sundeep Jora
- Ruben Trumpelmann
- Sher Malla
- Tilak Bhandari
- Durgesh Gupta
Full Squads
Kathmandu Gorkhas squad: Sahil Patel (w), David Warner, William Bosisto, Rashid Khan, Bhim Sharki, Sahan Arachchige, Jahandad Khan, Karan KC (c), Santosh Yadav, Shahab Alam, Dev Shah, Sonu Devkota, Dayanand Mandal, Sumit Maharjan, Krishna Poudel, Harishankar Shah, Mohammad Aadil Alam, Ripon Mondol, Sam Heazlett, Smit Patel, K.S. Bharat.
Lumbini Lions squad: D’Arcy Short, Aasif Sheikh, Niroshan Dickwella (w), Rohit Paudel (c), Dilip Nath, Shamim Hossain, Ruben Trumpelmann, Sundeep Jora, Sher Malla, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Grant Stewart, Kishor Mahato, Durgesh Gupta, Tilak Bhandari, Aakash Tripathi, Abhishesh Gautam, Dinesh Adhikari, Arniko Yadav, Ajay Kumar Chauhan.
Key Players to Watch
- David Warner (Kathmandu Gorkhas): The former Australian opener has settled quickly into the NPL, finishing unbeaten on 44 off 24 balls in the nine-wicket win over Biratnagar Kings. His powerplay hitting sets the tone for the Gorkhas.
- Rashid Khan (Kathmandu Gorkhas): The Afghanistan leg-spinner scored a vital 50 in the win over Karnali Yaks and remains the biggest threat with the ball on a surface that helps spin.
- Santosh Yadav (Kathmandu Gorkhas): Took 3 for 11 against Biratnagar Kings and was Player of the Match in that game.
- Rohit Paudel (Lumbini Lions, captain): The Lions’ top run-scorer in NPL 2026 with 90 runs so far, and Player of the Match against Janakpur Bolts with 38 off 31 balls and four economical overs for 18 runs.
- Ruben Trumpelmann (Lumbini Lions): The left-arm quick was the player of the series last season and gives the champions early wickets with the new ball.
- D’Arcy Short (Lumbini Lions): Dangerous with bat and ball — he took three for 23 against Janakpur Bolts after falling for a golden duck in the same match.
Head-to-Head
Kathmandu Gorkhas lead the head-to-head record 2–1 across three NPL meetings, but Lumbini Lions won the most recent and most important of them. Kathmandu won the first meeting by 18 runs in December 2024 and the league-stage meeting in November 2025 by 22 runs, before Lumbini turned the tables in last season’s Eliminator, chasing down 112 with four wickets in hand to knock Kathmandu out of the tournament.
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| 11 December 2024 | Kathmandu Gorkhas won by 18 runs (Kathmandu 103, Lumbini 85) |
| 25 November 2025 | Kathmandu Gorkhas won by 22 runs (Kathmandu 157/8, Lumbini 135) |
| 10 December 2025 (Eliminator) | Lumbini Lions won by 4 wickets (Kathmandu 111, Lumbini 112/6) |
| Overall | Kathmandu Gorkhas 2 wins, Lumbini Lions 1 win |
Recent form also favours the champions: Lumbini are unbeaten in ten NPL matches, while Kathmandu have won their last two. The Gorkhas’ recent wins came in very different ways — a high-scoring chase against Karnali Yaks and a one-sided demolition of Biratnagar Kings — which shows they can win in any conditions at Kirtipur. For more on how the Lions have defended modest totals this season, read our recap of Lumbini Lions’ 16-run win over Janakpur Bolts in the 14th match.
Pitch & Weather Report
The TU Ground in Kirtipur has been a bowler-friendly venue in NPL 2026. The average first-innings total in the tournament is around 157, and the average second-innings total is around 137, with the last five matches averaging closer to 145 in the first innings. Spin and changes of pace have been the most effective weapons, and the slow surface makes stroke-play harder as the innings goes on.
Dew could play a part in this evening fixture, and captains at Kirtipur often prefer chasing under the floodlights because a wet ball is harder for the bowlers to control. A first-innings score in the region of 155–165 should be competitive, while anything above 170 would give the side batting first a strong chance of defending it. The weather is expected to be dry and mostly sunny, with a daytime high of around 23–24 degrees Celsius and an overnight low near 12 degrees, and no rain is forecast — so a full 20-over match is expected with no weather interruption.
Where to Watch / Live Streaming
In Nepal, the match is televised on Himalaya TV and Himalaya Sports, and streamed on NetTV, which is the tournament’s worldwide streaming partner. In India, the match is shown on Star Sports Select 2 and Select 2 HD on television, and streamed live on FanCode, which sells an India-only Tour Pass for Rs 89. 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 4:45 PM IST start, as streaming rights vary by territory.
The previous day at Kirtipur produced another big result, as Sudur Paschim Royals beat Karnali Yaks by 39 runs in the 16th match — a game our match preview had flagged as a mid-table six-pointer. That result tightened the playoff race further, which makes this clash between the table-toppers and the in-form Gorkhas even more important.
FAQs
When is Kathmandu Gorkhas vs Lumbini Lions, NPL 2026 18th Match?
The match is on Saturday, 7 November 2026, starting at 4:45 PM IST (5:00 PM Nepal time, 11:15 AM GMT).
Where is the match being played?
At the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Nepal, which hosts all 32 matches of NPL Season 3.
Who captains the two teams?
Karan KC captains Kathmandu Gorkhas and Rohit Kumar Paudel captains Lumbini Lions.
What is the head-to-head record between Kathmandu Gorkhas and Lumbini Lions?
Kathmandu lead 2–1 from three NPL meetings, but Lumbini won the most recent one — the Eliminator in December 2025, by four wickets.
Where can I watch Kathmandu Gorkhas vs Lumbini Lions live?
In Nepal on Himalaya TV and NetTV, in India on Star Sports Select 2 and FanCode, and worldwide through NetTV’s streaming service.
Summary
Kathmandu Gorkhas vs Lumbini Lions is the standout fixture of the NPL 2026 league stage so far: the defending champions and the only unbeaten side against a Gorkhas team that has hit form at exactly the right time, with Warner and Rashid Khan both firing. The head-to-head record favours Kathmandu, the recent form and the points table favour Lumbini, and the slow Kirtipur surface should keep the contest tight until the final overs. Expect the toss to matter — chasing under lights with dew around has been the preferred route — and expect the middle-over spin battle to decide it. A Lions win would stretch their lead at the top to nine points; a Gorkhas win would end the champions’ unbeaten run and throw the playoff race wide open.
Full live scores, squads and match details are available on Cricbuzz here: https://www.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scorecard/177730/kag-vs-lul-18th-match-nepal-premier-league-2026
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