Sudurpaschim Royals are into the Nepal Premier League playoffs after edging Kathmandu Gorkhas by seven runs in a thriller at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Friday, 13 November. Chasing only 126, Kathmandu finished on 118-7, undone by a disciplined bowling performance and a captain's innings that had earlier rescued the Royals from 8-4.

Dipendra Singh Airee, the Sudurpaschim captain, was named Player of the Match for his 60 off 55 balls — the innings that turned a collapse into a defendable total. The win is the Royals' fourth in a row after losing two of their first three matches, and it takes them to the top of the table with 10 points from their seven league matches. They are the second team to seal a playoff place, after Lumbini Lions.

From 8 for 4 to 125

Kathmandu won the toss and put Sudurpaschim in to bat, and for two overs it looked like the perfect decision. Scott Kuggeleijn, promoted to open the batting, struck a six off the first ball of the innings — and was dismissed by Pakistani fast bowler Jahandad Khan off the fourth delivery.

Things got worse in the second over. Left-arm spinner Santosh Yadav had Brandon McMullen caught and then bowled Ishan Pandey, neither batter scoring. Jahandad struck again in the third over, trapping Binod Bhandari lbw for one, and Sudurpaschim were 8-4 after 2.3 overs, in serious trouble.

That was when Airee took charge. He steadied the innings with a 54-run fifth-wicket partnership with Aarif Sheikh, who made 16 off 25 balls before being run out, and then added another 54 for the sixth wicket with Tharindu Ratnayake. Airee hit five fours and two sixes in his 60 before Jahandad dismissed him in the 19th over. Ratnayake stayed unbeaten on 26 off 23 balls, and Fabian Allen finished on 2 not out as Sudurpaschim closed on 125-6 from their 20 overs.

Jahandad was the pick of Kathmandu's bowlers with 3-22 in four overs, including a maiden, and Santosh Yadav took 2-16 in three overs.

Kathmandu's chase falls seven short

Kathmandu's reply started as badly as Sudurpaschim's had. The openers lasted barely an over: Bhim Sharki was dismissed off the first ball by Kuggeleijn, and Sam Heazlett was run out for 11. Santosh Yadav made 10 off 19 balls, Sahan Arachchige went without scoring, and Mohammad Aadil Alam managed only eight off 24 balls.

Dushan Hemantha gave the chase some life with 21 off 18 balls, including a four and a six, before being dismissed, and captain Karan KC also struggled, making eight off 12 deliveries. That left Rashid Khan, unbeaten on 35 off 31 balls with five fours, and Jahandad Khan, seven not out, with too much to do at the end. Kathmandu finished on 118-7, seven runs short.

Anil Kharel was the pick of the Sudurpaschim bowlers with 2-18 in four overs. Kuggeleijn took 1-15 in four overs, while Hemant Dhami and Fabian Allen claimed a wicket each, conceding 25 and 32 runs respectively.

The playoff picture

Sudurpaschim have now completed all seven of their league matches, with five wins and two defeats for 10 points. That puts them top of the table, but their place in the Qualifier — the playoff for the top two teams — is not yet secured. Lumbini Lions have nine points from six matches and Kathmandu have eight, and both teams can still overtake the Royals and finish in the top two if they win their final matches.

For Kathmandu, this was a second defeat of the season, and a third straight defeat to Sudurpaschim — the Royals have now beaten them in three consecutive seasons. For the Royals, it is a remarkable turnaround: after losing two of their first three matches, they have won four in a row to book their playoff place with a game to spare.

What happens next

Sudurpaschim's league campaign is over, so they must wait on the remaining results to learn whether they finish in the top two and go straight to the Qualifier, or take the longer route through the Eliminator. Lumbini Lions and Kathmandu Gorkhas both still have a final league match to play, and the race for the top two will go down to those games.

FAQs

Who won NPL Match 24?

Sudurpaschim Royals beat Kathmandu Gorkhas by seven runs at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Friday, 13 November 2026. Sudurpaschim made 125-6 in 20 overs and Kathmandu finished on 118-7.

Who was the Player of the Match?

Sudurpaschim captain Dipendra Singh Airee, for his 60 off 55 balls. He came in with his side at 8-4 and rebuilt the innings with two 54-run partnerships, first with Aarif Sheikh and then with Tharindu Ratnayake.

How did Sudurpaschim recover from 8 for 4?

After losing four wickets for eight runs in 2.3 overs, Airee added 54 with Aarif Sheikh (16) for the fifth wicket and 54 with Ratnayake (26 not out) for the sixth, taking the total to 125-6.

Have Sudurpaschim qualified for the NPL playoffs?

Yes. They are the second team to seal a playoff place after Lumbini Lions, and they sit top of the table with 10 points from seven matches. Their place in the Qualifier for the top two is not yet secured — Lumbini and Kathmandu can still overtake them.

Who were the best bowlers in the match?

For Kathmandu, Jahandad Khan took 3-22 in four overs including a maiden, and Santosh Yadav took 2-16. For Sudurpaschim, Anil Kharel took 2-18 in four overs and Scott Kuggeleijn took 1-15.

Conclusion

This was a match Sudurpaschim had no right to win — 8-4 after 2.3 overs, chasing a playoff place, against a side that had beaten them to the toss and the early momentum. Airee's 60 gave them something to bowl at, and then a disciplined, collective bowling effort did the rest. Four wins in a row, top of the table, and a playoff place booked: the Royals' turnaround is complete, and the teams above and below them now know exactly what they are up against.

Also on CricVic: D'Arcy Short Stars as Lumbini Lions Beat Karnali Yaks to Seal First NPL Playoff Spot and Sandeep Lamichhane's Six-For Fires Biratnagar Kings to Four-Wicket Win as Pokhara Avengers Bow Out of NPL Playoff Race

Sources: Kathmandu Post — Sudurpaschim close in on Qualifier after thrilling win over Kathmandu, NepalViews — Sudurpaschim also qualify for playoffs after beating Kathmandu, Possible11 — Kathmandu Gorkhas vs Sudurpaschim Royals, Match 24 scorecard