Biratnagar Kings Beat Sudurpaschim Royals by 35 Runs in Rain-Shortened NPL 2026 Thriller
Biratnagar Kings registered their first victory of Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 3 with an impressive 35-run win over Sudurpaschim Royals in a rain-affected Match 8 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on October 31, 2026.
In a match reduced to just five overs per side following heavy rainfall and a lengthy delay, Biratnagar delivered an explosive batting performance, scoring 105/2 before restricting Sudurpaschim to 70 runs. The result gave Biratnagar their first two points of the tournament.
Biratnagar Kings Post 105 Runs in Five Overs
After winning the toss, Sudurpaschim Royals captain Dipendra Singh Airee elected to field first. Biratnagar Kings took full advantage of the shortened format and attacked from the beginning.
Shehan Jayasuriya was the leading scorer with a brilliant 39 off just 11 deliveries. Andre Russell and Lokesh Bam provided an explosive finish, scoring 29 runs each without getting dismissed.
Biratnagar finished their five overs at 105/2, setting Sudurpaschim Royals a challenging target of 106 runs.
Sudurpaschim Royals Fall Short in the Chase
Chasing 106 in just five overs, Sudurpaschim Royals needed an exceptional batting performance to secure victory.
Scott Kuggeleijn scored an unbeaten 28, while Saif Zaib and Aarif Sheikh contributed 17 runs each. However, Sudurpaschim could not match Biratnagar's scoring rate and finished with 70 runs.
Biratnagar Kings secured a convincing 35-run victory in the rain-shortened encounter.
Andre Russell Named Player of the Match
Andre Russell delivered an impressive all-round performance for Biratnagar Kings. He scored an unbeaten 29 runs, picked up one wicket and took one catch.
His contribution with both bat and ball helped Biratnagar secure their first win of the NPL 2026 season.
Match Delayed Following Rain and Playing Conditions Disagreement
The match was originally scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM but faced a lengthy delay due to rainfall and a wet outfield at the Kirtipur ground.
Officials eventually reduced the contest to five overs per side. However, the decision led to disagreement from Sudurpaschim Royals over the ground conditions, player safety and shortened boundary dimensions.
Sudurpaschim players initially walked off the field, and discussions took place between team representatives, match officials and Cricket Association of Nepal representatives before the contest proceeded.
Updated NPL 2026 Points Situation
Biratnagar's victory earned them their first two points after three matches. Sudurpaschim Royals remain on two points after three matches.
| Team | Matches | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Sudurpaschim Royals | 3 | 2 |
| Biratnagar Kings | 3 | 2 |
Points shown are the teams' totals following this match, not their official overall league positions.
What's Next for Sudurpaschim and Biratnagar?
Both teams will now turn their attention to their upcoming NPL fixtures.
- November 2: Sudurpaschim Royals vs Chitwan Rhinos.
- November 3: Biratnagar Kings vs Janakpur Bolts.
Biratnagar will look to build on their first victory, while Sudurpaschim will aim to return to winning form in their next match.
Final Thoughts
Despite rain, delays and controversy surrounding playing conditions, NPL fans eventually witnessed an exciting five-over contest. Biratnagar Kings made the most of their opportunity, with Shehan Jayasuriya and Andre Russell leading the batting effort.
The victory gives Biratnagar important momentum as the competition continues, while Sudurpaschim Royals will need to regroup ahead of their next fixture.
For the latest NPL 2026 news, live scores, match results, fixtures, player statistics and points table updates, visit NPLNepal.com.