Sudurpaschim Royals have qualified for the playoffs of Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 3, after beating Kathmandu Gurkhas by 7 runs in Match 24 at Kirtipur on Friday, 13 November 2026.

The win took the Royals to 10 points from 7 matches—top of the NPL 2026 points table—and, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs, their place in the knockouts is now sealed. They are the second team to qualify, after Lumbini Lions, who secured their spot with a 4-wicket win over Karnali Yaks in Match 23.

It was captain Dipendra Singh Airee who led the way in the decisive match. Sudurpaschim were 8/3 inside the first two overs after Kathmandu won the toss and opted to bowl, but Airee's 60 off 55 balls — later named Player of the Match — carried them to 125/6. Kathmandu finished on 118/7 in reply, with Rashid Khan unbeaten on 35 off 31, as Anil Kharel took 2/18. 

The Royals' league campaign is now complete: five wins from seven matches, with defeats only to Lumbini Lions and Biratnagar Kings. Their wins came against the Pokhara Avengers, Chitwan Rhinos, Karnali Yaks, Janakpur Bolts, and Kathmandu Gurkhas.

What comes next

Sudurpaschim's final seeding is not decided yet. Lumbini Lions (9 points) play Biratnagar Kings in Match 26 on Saturday, 14 November—a win would take them to 11 points and above the Royals. Kathmandu Gurkhas (8 points) play their final league match against Pokhara Avengers on Sunday, 15 November—a win would take them to 10 points, level with Sudurpaschim, with net run rate deciding the order.

The NPL 2026 schedule has Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, 17 November (1st vs 2nd), the Eliminator on Wednesday, 18 November (3rd vs 4th), Qualifier 2 on Thursday, 19 November, and the Final on Saturday, 21 November. Follow the run-in on the NPL 2026 live scores page.

For a side that finished runners-up in both previous seasons, this is a familiar position — but this time they have finished the league stage top of the table and will go into the playoffs as the team to beat.