NPL 2026 Week One: Results, Records & Talking Points

Updated Mon, 2 Nov 2026

Nine matches into Season 3 of the Nepal Premier League, the table has a surprise leader, a record has fallen and rain has already cost a game. Here is what you need to know before Monday’s double-header. Everything below updates live on the points table, the schedule and the stats page.

Every result so far

Points table after Match 9

Order within equal points follows wins and then net run rate; see how NRR works.

1. Karnali Yaks are the team to beat

Karnali are the only unbeaten side. They defended 132 against Janakpur, then chased 187 against Biratnagar with a ball to spare. Captain Sompal Kami made 62 not out off 32 balls and took 4 for 33 in that game, the all-round performance of the week.

2. Biratnagar break two records in five overs

After losing their first two games, Biratnagar Kings won a rain-reduced, five-over Match 8 that started late at night. Shehan Jayasuriya hit five sixes in a 35-run first over, an NPL record, on his way to 39 off 11 balls, and Lokesh Bam and Andre Russell took them to 105 for 2. That is reported to be the highest five-over total in T20 cricket. Russell then took 1 for 8 from two overs and ended a run of six Nepali players of the match to open the season.

3. Rain, and a drainage problem

Around 30 hours of rain left the TU Ground waterlogged on 31 October. Match 7 between Lumbini and Chitwan was abandoned without a toss, and Match 8 became a five-over game after a long delay in which Sudurpaschim objected to the wet outfield. The league has no reserve days, so washed-out points stay shared. The ground’s drainage and the ticket refund question are now under scrutiny; our ticket guide covers eSewa purchases.

4. Nepali players lead, the stars are arriving

Nepali players won the first six player of the match awards, starting with Sher Malla (3 for 11) and Kishor Mahato (4 for 14) bowling Sudurpaschim out for 87 in the opener. Lokesh Bam’s 87 off 52 against Karnali is the top score so far. Of the overseas players, Moeen Ali (58 not out and 3 for 13) and Dawid Malan (70 off 50 for Chitwan) have had the biggest impact, and David Warner is due to join Kathmandu this week.

5. DRS is being used, and it is working

A Cricnepal count of the first six matches found 22 reviews, with 11 decisions overturned, and every franchise had already used the system. How reviews work is in our NPL DRS guide.

Coming up

• Mon 2 Nov: Kathmandu Gorkhas v Karnali Yaks (12:30 PM), Sudurpaschim Royals v Chitwan Rhinos (5:00 PM)
• Tue 3 Nov: Biratnagar Kings v Janakpur Bolts (12:30 PM), Lumbini Lions v Pokhara Avengers (5:00 PM)
• Wed 4 Nov: rest day

All times NPT. Every remaining fixture is on the NPL 2026 schedule; where to watch is in our streaming guide.