Lumbini Lions and Sudurpaschim Royals to open NPL season in Nepal — Kathmandu Post
The third season of the Nepal Premier League, a franchise T20 cricket tournament, will begin on October 26 in Kirtipur, Nepal. In the opening match, reigning champions Lumbini Lions will face two-time finalists Sudurpaschim Royals at the TU International Cricket Stadium.
The Cricket Association of Nepal officially released the competition schedule, Kathmandu Post reports. The tournament will last 27 days, until November 21, when the final will be held under floodlights in Kirtipur.
Group stage
Eight teams will compete in the group stage: Lumbini Lions, Sudurpaschim Royals, Biratnagar Kings, Chitwan Rhinos, Karnali Yaks, Janakpur Bolts, Pokhara Avengers and Kathmandu Gorkhas. They will play each other once.
Twenty-one matches are scheduled for the group stage. On certain days, one match will be played, with kick-off set for 16:30. On days featuring two matches, the first game will begin at 12:30 and the second at 16:30. The first double-header is scheduled for October 27: Biratnagar Kings will face Chitwan Rhinos, while Karnali Yaks will play Janakpur Bolts.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The group-stage calendar includes four rest days: October 30 and November 4, 8 and 11. The group stage will conclude on November 15 with matches between Chitwan Rhinos and Karnali Yaks, and Pokhara Avengers and Kathmandu Gorkhas.
Playoffs and final
The top four teams from the group stage will advance to the playoffs. The top two teams in the standings will play in the first qualifier on November 17 for a direct place in the final. The third- and fourth-placed teams will play an elimination match on November 18.
On November 19, the winner of the elimination match will face the loser of the first qualifier in the second qualifier. It will determine the second finalist, while the season's decisive match will take place on November 21.
