NPL 2025 Match Result: Lumbini Lions vs Janakpur Bolts in Match 25

Published · By Kushma Thapa

🦁 Lumbini Lions Clinch Thrilling Win Over Janakpur Bolts, Seal Final Playoff Spot

In a nail-biting encounter, the Lumbini Lions edged out the Janakpur Bolts by four wickets with just five balls to spare, securing a crucial victory that guarantees their passage into the tournament's knockout stage.

The Bolts set a modest target of 133 runs, posting 132/6 on the scoreboard. However, the Lions showed their mettle, successfully chasing down the target to reach 136/6. The home team's batting lineup rose to the challenge, with the top-order batsmen playing crucial roles in the win. Despite a few hiccups, the Lions managed to stay ahead of the required run rate, sealing a hard-fought victory. The thrilling win showcases the Lions' fighting spirit and sets the perfect momentum as they head into the playoffs.

NPL 2025 Playoff Qualification Confirmed

This result finalizes the four teams advancing to the knockout stage, leaving the remaining league matches to determine the seedings for the Qualifier 1 and Eliminator matches.

Playoff Teams (Top 4)

The Lumbini Lions' win secured the final spot. These four teams have qualified for the knockout stage:

  1. Sudurpaschim Royals (12 Points, 6 Wins, 0 Losses)

  2. Kathmandu Gorkhas (10 Points, 5 Wins, 2 Losses)

  3. Biratnagar Kings (8 Points, 4 Wins, 2 Losses)

  4. Lumbini Lions (8 Points, 4 Wins, 3 Losses)

❌ Eliminated Teams

These teams cannot reach the necessary points to challenge the top four:

  • Pokhara Avengers (4 Points, 2 Wins, 4 Losses)

  • Chitwan Rhinos (4 Points, 2 Wins, 4 Losses)

  • Karnali Yaks (2 Points, 1 Win, 5 Losses)

  • Janakpur Bolts (2 Points, 1 Win, 5 Losses)

> Note: The Lumbini Lions are now tied with the Biratnagar Kings on 8 points but hold the 4th spot provisionally, awaiting the final match results which will confirm the exact rankings (2nd, 3rd and 4th) based on Net Run Rate (NRR). The Pokhara Avengers are officially eliminated as they can only reach 6 points.

Playoffs and Grand Finale Schedule

The NPL 2025 follows the IPL-style playoff structure, leading up to the Grand Finale on Saturday, December 13, 2025.

  • Qualifier 1 Tue, Dec 9 - 4:00 PM 1st Place vs 2nd Place , Winner goes directly to the Final

  • Eliminator Wed Dec 10 - 4:00 PM 3rd Place vs 4th Place, Loser is Eliminated

  • Qualifier 2 Thu Dec 11 - 4:00 PM Loser of Q1 vs Winner of Eliminator, Winner goes to the Final

  • GRAND FINALE Sat, Dec 13 - 3:30 PM Winner Q1 vs Winner Q2, Championship Match

Remaining League Matches Affecting Seedings

The focus now shifts to the remaining two league matches, which will determine the exact seeding order (1st vs 2nd and 3rd vs 4th) for the playoffs:

  • Saturday, December 6, 2025, 11:15 AM: Sudurpaschim Royals vs. Biratnagar Kings

    • Significance: This match is primarily about 2nd vs 3rd place seedings.

      • Sudurpaschim Royals are guaranteed 1st place (12 points cannot be surpassed).

      • The Biratnagar Kings are guaranteed 3rd place (their NRR is superior to the Lumbini Lions, securing them 3rd regardless of this match's result).

      • The only remaining mathematical possibility is if the Kings win by an unprecedented margin to overtake the Kathmandu Gorkhas for 2nd place on NRR, which is highly unlikely.

  • Saturday, December 6, 2025, 3:30 PM: Chitwan Rhinos vs. Pokhara Avengers

    • Significance: This is a dead rubber match, a match between two eliminated teams.

  • Sunday, December 7, 2025, 3:30 PM: Karnali Yaks vs. Janakpur Bolts

    • Significance: Dead rubber match.