146/4 (18.3)
CR : 7.89
142/7 (20.0)
CR : 7.10
Lumbini Lions won by 6 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Ruben Trumpelmann
3/23
18.3
4
D Malan to J Smit
FOUR RUNS! One bounce and over the fence! Fuller and just outside the off-stump. The batter smashes it straight down the ground for a boundary. Lumbini Lions win by 6 wickets and start their campaign on a high note.
Over 19
Lumbini Lions 146/4
JJ Smit4(4)
Gulbadin Naib44(24)
Dawid Malan0-5(0.3)
LBL won by 6 wickets
7:15 PM IST, 7:30 PM Local Time: Lumbini Lions thump Chitwan Rhinos by 6 wickets and start their NPL season 2 campaign on a high note.
Sent in to bat first, the Rhinos endured a dreadful start with opener Dawid Malan departing for a golden duck in the opening over. Boundaries were hard to come by, and they could muster only 32 runs in the powerplay.
Ravi Bopara anchored the innings, taking his time before accelerating. He eventually fell in the final over after making 66 off 55 balls. His stand with Saif Zaib (15) was crucial, as the pair put on 41 runs in just 17 deliveries for the fifth wicket.
Namibia’s left-arm seamer Ruben Trumplemann was the standout with the ball, returning figures of 3/23.
In reply, the Lions got off to a completely different start, racing past 50 inside the powerplay. Despite a couple of wickets falling in between, they always looked in control. Rohit Paudel played risk-free cricket, smartly rotating strike and allowing Gulbadin Naib — who was in top gear — to take charge.
The skipper fell for 39 while going for a glory shot, but Naib stayed unbeaten on a 24-ball 44 and carried the Lions home with nine balls to spare.
The Rhinos failed to create pressure on the batters and leaked runs at regular intervals. Rijan Dhakal shone with the ball for the Rhinos, claiming two wickets, while Sohail Tanvir chipped in with one wicket.
Sent in to bat first, the Rhinos endured a dreadful start with opener Dawid Malan departing for a golden duck in the opening over. Boundaries were hard to come by, and they could muster only 32 runs in the powerplay.
Ravi Bopara anchored the innings, taking his time before accelerating. He eventually fell in the final over after making 66 off 55 balls. His stand with Saif Zaib (15) was crucial, as the pair put on 41 runs in just 17 deliveries for the fifth wicket.
Namibia’s left-arm seamer Ruben Trumplemann was the standout with the ball, returning figures of 3/23.
In reply, the Lions got off to a completely different start, racing past 50 inside the powerplay. Despite a couple of wickets falling in between, they always looked in control. Rohit Paudel played risk-free cricket, smartly rotating strike and allowing Gulbadin Naib — who was in top gear — to take charge.
The skipper fell for 39 while going for a glory shot, but Naib stayed unbeaten on a 24-ball 44 and carried the Lions home with nine balls to spare.
The Rhinos failed to create pressure on the batters and leaked runs at regular intervals. Rijan Dhakal shone with the ball for the Rhinos, claiming two wickets, while Sohail Tanvir chipped in with one wicket.
Time for the post-match presentation.....
Player of the Match: Ruben Trumpelmann
Ruben Trumpelmann (POTM): "Yeah, it’s great to get a win on the board. That’s big for us as a team moving forward, and while it was a good game personally, the focus is on winning the trophy. I’m feeling good out there, and hopefully the momentum continues and I stay injury-free — that’s the main thing for a fast bowler, just looking after the body.
I was chatting with JJ, and the place looks phenomenal with all the coloured seats. Nepal is special, and hopefully we see even more fans coming in."
I was chatting with JJ, and the place looks phenomenal with all the coloured seats. Nepal is special, and hopefully we see even more fans coming in."
Rohit Paudel (Lumbini Lions Captain): "We had a clear plan before the season began, and as a team we’ve done a good job executing it. The group is happy, the boys are enjoying themselves, and they’re preparing well under lights.
Big hats off to the Cricket Association of Nepal and the management for their hard work in hosting this year’s tournament under lights — it’s fantastic, and we’re loving it."
Big hats off to the Cricket Association of Nepal and the management for their hard work in hosting this year’s tournament under lights — it’s fantastic, and we’re loving it."
That’s all from this contest, folks! Lumbini Lions start their NPL 2025 journey with a win. For now, it’s me, Deepak Prakash, signing off from this space along with co-commentator Mohammad Anab and scorer Manish Bishnoi. CHEERS!