The 26th match of the Nepal Premier League 2025 features Sudurpaschim Royals vs Biratnagar Kings, a crucial fight between two playoff teams that have already qualified. The teams are assured of their places in the next round, but they will aim to gain momentum for the qualifiers. Each team will be trying to sharpen their skills and boost their morale before the playoffs start on the next Tuesday.
The Biratnagar Kings have a good record against the Royals, and the latter are ready for the battle. Both teams, having secured their playoff positions, can express themselves through their games and depend on their tactics as the main tool to win the match.
Head-to-Head Record in T20Is
- Matches Played: 1
- Biratnagar Kings Won: 1
- Sudurpaschim Royals Won: 0
Match Details
Details: Sudurpaschim Royals vs Biratnagar Kings, 26th Match
Venue: Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
Date and Time:6 DEC–11:00 AM
Pitch Report
Tossing at Kirtipur, the bowlers benefit from the pitch, mainly the seamers, who benefit the most from the moisture in the soil, which only slightly makes the ball move. If the batsman gets the proper equipment, he can still score runs for his team, and the total score will be pretty. The average score in the first innings for this ground is 150 which is also the minimum expected score for this match.
Sudurpaschim Royals’ Strengths
Sudurpaschim Royals dominate the tournament from first position with six commanding wins. Binod Bhandari leads the scoring charts with 186 runs, while Chris Lynn’s aggressive batting provides explosive momentum. Abhinash Bohara’s 11 wickets demonstrate exceptional bowling prowess. Their recent 49-run demolition of Chitwan Rhinos showcases consistent form and ability to control matches across all phases.
Sudurpaschim Royals’ Weaknesses
Despite strong performances, Sudurpaschim Royals show occasional batting fragility, losing four wickets against Chitwan Rhinos. Over-reliance on Bhandari and Lynn for run accumulation creates vulnerability if early batsmen falter. Limited impact from middle-order batsmen occasionally restricts scoring acceleration. Dependence on Bohara’s bowling could become problematic if he faces form dips.
Biratnagar Kings’ Strengths
Biratnagar Kings hold third position with four wins, demonstrating competitive cricket. Basir Ahamad leads the batting with 168 runs, providing consistency. Sandeep Lamichhane’s 12 wickets rank among the tournament’s best, showcasing lethal bowling. Their aggressive chase strategies, evidenced by Sam Heazlett and Lokesh Bam’s contributions, display resilience and tactical flexibility against quality opposition.
Biratnagar Kings’ Weaknesses
Biratnagar Kings’ recent five-wicket defeat to Lumbini Lions reveals batting inconsistencies at the top order. George Munsey and Faf du Plessis’s cheap dismissals create instability. Overreliance on Basir Ahamad for run-scoring exposes the middle order’s fragility. Limited bowling depth beyond Lamichhane puts pressure on them, and their two losses demonstrate difficulty in consistently maintaining momentum against strong teams.
Predicted Playing 11s
Sudurpaschim Royals: Sompal Kami (C), Deepak Dumre (WK), Arjun Gharti, Bipin Sharma, Unish Singh, Pawan Sarraf, Imran Shekh, Gulsan Jha, Dipendra Rawat, Yuvraj Khatri, Mohammad Aadil Alam
Biratnagar Kings: Sandeep Lamichhane (c), Lokesh Bam (wk), George Munsey, Martin Guptill, Basir Ahamad, Shubham Ranjane, Marchant de Lange, Naren Bhatta, Surya Tamang, Narayan Joshi, Pratis GC
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.