Kathmandu Gorkhas handed Lumbini Lions their first defeat of the Nepal Premier League 2026, winning by 36 runs in Match 18 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Saturday evening, 7 November. David Warner's 66 and Jahandad Khan's four wickets did the damage as the defending champions' unbeaten run came to an end.
Warner and Sahil set it up
Lumbini captain Rohit Paudel won the toss and chose to bowl, but Warner and Sahil Patel put on 104 for the first wicket. Warner made 66 off 50 balls, hitting nine fours and a six, before falling to Sher Malla. Sahil made 38 off 36 balls.
Sahan Arachchige then smashed an unbeaten 34 off just 15 balls to lift Kathmandu to 160 for 8. Sher Malla took 2 for 19 and Abhishesh Gautam 2 for 15 for Lumbini, while Ruben Trumpelmann claimed 2 for 24.
Jahandad wrecks the chase
Chasing 161, Lumbini's top order fell apart in the powerplay. Jahandad Khan struck four times — removing D'Arcy Short, Aasif Sheikh, Niroshan Dickwella and Dilip Nath — as the leaders crashed to 28 for 6 inside five overs. Captain Karan KC took two wickets, including Rohit Paudel for a duck.
Sundeep Jora fought back with 45 off 46 balls, finding support from Abhishesh Gautam (16), but the asking rate was always too much. Lumbini were bowled out for 124 in 19.3 overs, with Jahandad finishing with 4 for 23 and Shahab Alam taking 1 for 18.
Top performers
David Warner 66 (50) — Player of the Match
Sahan Arachchige 34 not out (15)
Jahandad Khan 4 for 23
Sundeep Jora 45 (46)
Points table
It was Kathmandu's third straight win, lifting them to second in the table with six points from four matches. Lumbini stay top despite the defeat, with seven points from five matches.
Source: Cricbuzz scorecard