Sudurpaschim Royals beat Kathmandu Gurkhas by 7 runs in the 24th match of Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 3 at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, on Friday, 13 November 2026.

Kathmandu won the toss and opted to bowl. Sudurpaschim posted 125/6 in 20 overs, and Kathmandu finished on 118/7 in 20 overs in reply.

Airee rescues Sudurpaschim after a top-order collapse.

Sdurpaschim's innings started badly. Scott Kuggeleijn (6 off 4), Brandon McMullen (0 off 4), and Ishan Pandey (0 off 2) all fell cheaply, and the Royals were 8/3 inside the first two overs. Binod Bhandari made just 1.

Captain Dipendra Singh Airee rebuilt the innings with 60 off 55 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes). He added 54 with Aarif Sheikh (16 off 25) and another 54 with Tharindu Ratnayake, who finished 26 not out of 23. Fabian Allen was not out at the end.

Jahandad Khan was Kathmandu's best bowler with 3/22 in 4 overs, and Santosh Yadav took 2/16 in 3 overs.

Kathmandu falls short despite Rashid Khan's unbeaten 35.

Kathmandu's chase never got going. Sam Heazlett was run out for 11 off 7, Bhim Sharki fell for a duck, and at 44/4 after 8.3 overs, the chase was already in trouble.

Rashid Khan fought back with an unbeaten 35 off 31 balls (5 fours), adding 34 with Dushan Hemantha (21 off 18) and 22 with captain Karan KC (8 off 12). But with 25 needed off the last three overs, the Royals' bowlers held their nerve. Jahandad Khan finished 5 not out alongside Rashid as Kathmandu closed on 118/7.

Anil Kharel was the pick of the Sudurpaschim attack with 2/18 in 4 overs, while Scott Kuggeleijn took 1/15, Hemant Dhami 1/25, and Fabian Allen 1/32.

What it means for the points table

Both teams came into the match on 8 points. The win takes Sudurpaschim to 10 points from 7 matches (5 wins, 2 losses)—top of the table, ahead of Lumbini Lions on 9 points.

This was Sudurpaschim's final league match, so they finished the league stage on 10 points and will wait to see whether anyone can pass them. Kathmandu stays on 8 points from 6 matches (4 wins, 2 losses) and still has one league match left—against Pokhara Avengers on Sunday, 15 November 2026. A win there would also take them to 10 points.

Thanuka Dabare watches

New signing Thanuka Dabare did not play this match. He was not in Sudurpaschim's XI—Fabian Allen played instead. Dabare signed for the Royals, replacing Sherfane Rutherford.

Scorecard summary

Sudurpaschim Royals 125/6 (20 overs): Dipendra Singh Airee 60 (55), Tharindu Ratnayake 26* (23), Aarif Sheikh 16 (25); Jahandad Khan 3/22, Santosh Yadav 2/16
Kathmandu Gurkhas 118/7 (20 overs): Rashid Khan 35* (31), Dushan Hemantha 21 (18), Sam Heazlett 11 (7); Anil Kharel 2/18, Scott Kuggeleijn 1/15
Result: Sudurpaschim Royals won by 7 runs.
Toss: Kathmandu Gurkhas won the toss and opted to bowl