Sudurpaschim Royals cruise to seven-wicket win as Binod Bhandari anchors clinical chase

Sudurpaschim Royals produced one of their most composed performances of the season, defeating Lumbini Lions by seven wickets in Match 13 of the Nepal Premier League 2025 at TU Cricket Ground on Thursday.

The win was built on a superb, unbeaten 69 from opener Binod Bhandari, complemented by disciplined bowling spells that restricted Lumbini to a below-par 143.

Sent in to bat after Sudurpaschim chose to field, Lumbini Lions made a brisk start. D'Arcy Short struck 18 off 11 before falling early, but Rohit Paudel (35 off 36) and Dilip Nath (31 off 29) stitched together the most substantial partnership of the Lions' innings — 52 runs for the third wicket — guiding the side to 69/2 at the drinks break.

However, Sudurpaschim's bowlers tightened the screws in the middle overs. Harmeet Singh (3/22) was the standout performer, accounting for major wickets including Paudel and Thomas Draca, while Abinash Bohara (3/26) removed Dilip Nath and broke momentum at crucial stages.

Quick strikes in the death overs — five wickets falling for just 24 runs — saw Lumbini crash from 119/4 to 143 all out in 19.4 overs.

Chasing 144, Sudurpaschim Royals adopted a steady approach. Despite losing Josh Brown early for 9, the innings stabilised through a critical 99-run partnership off 78 balls between Binod Bhandari (69 off 49)* and Aarif Sheikh (39 off 37).

Both batters displayed expert control in rotating strike, punishing anything loose without taking unnecessary risks. Their stand took the game away from Lumbini completely.

Aarif eventually departed, but Bhandari remained unbeaten, finishing the chase in 18.2 overs with Harmeet Singh joining him at the end.

His innings — featuring 5 fours and 4 sixes - was the defining performance of the match, earning him the Player of the Match award.