KAG vs LUL NPL 2026: Warner 66, Kathmandu Win by 36 Runs
Published on November 7, 2026
Summary Overview: Kathmandu Gurkhas beat Lumbini Lions by 36 runs in NPL 2026 at Kirtipur, ending the leaders' unbeaten run. Player of the Match David Warner made 66 off 50 in an opening stand of 104, and Jahandad Khan took 4 for 23 as Lumbini crashed to 28 for 6. It is Kathmandu's third straight win.
Who won? Kathmandu Gurkhas, by 36 runs at the TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. Kathmandu made 160 for 8, and Lumbini Lions were bowled out for 124 in 19.3 overs.
Who starred? David Warner made 66 off 50 balls, with nine fours and a six, and was named Player of the Match. Jahandad Khan took 4 for 23, and Sahan Arachchige hit 34 not out off 15.
What happened to Lumbini? The table leaders collapsed to 28 for 6 in the fifth over. Sundeep Jora (45) led a fightback, but it was their first defeat of the season.
What does it mean? It is Kathmandu's third win in a row. Lumbini remain top of the table despite the loss.
Match Report: Kathmandu Beat the Leaders
For readers new to cricket: in a T20 match, each team bats for up to 20 overs (an over is six legal deliveries). A team wins by runs when it bats first and the other side cannot reach its total.
Kathmandu's Innings: Warner's Platform
Lumbini captain Rohit Paudel won the toss and chose to bowl. David Warner and Sahil Patel made 45 without loss in the powerplay and went on to add 104 off 80 balls for the first wicket. Patel made 38 off 36, with two sixes, before Sher Malla had him caught by Paudel.
Warner hit nine fours and a six in his 66 off 50 before Malla removed him too, at 115 for 2 in the 16th over. Abhishesh Gautam then took two wickets in two balls, catching and bowling captain Karan KC and bowling William Bosisto first ball. Ruben Trumpelmann removed Rashid Khan and Jahandad Khan, and Lumbini's fielders ran out two more. Kathmandu lost seven wickets for 52 runs after the opening stand.
What kept the total competitive was Sahan Arachchige. The Sri Lankan hit 34 not out off just 15 balls, and Kathmandu finished on 160 for 8. Gautam's 4 overs for 15 runs and two wickets were the pick of Lumbini's bowling.
Lumbini's Chase: 28 for 6
Then Jahandad Khan tore through Lumbini's top order. He had D'Arcy Short and Aasif Sheikh caught behind by Sahil Patel in his first over, and Karan KC had captain Rohit Paudel caught behind for a duck. Jahandad then bowled Niroshan Dickwella (14 off 7) and Dilip Nath in the same over, and Karan trapped Grant Stewart lbw. Lumbini were 28 for 6 in the fifth over.
Sundeep Jora refused to give up. He made 45 off 46, adding 21 with Trumpelmann and 47 off 35 balls with Gautam (16). But Rashid Khan removed Gautam, Shahab Alam had Jora caught, and Arachchige bowled Sher Malla with his third ball to end the match. Lumbini were all out for 124, which included 5 penalty runs.
Turning Point: Jahandad's Opening Burst
Lumbini came into the game unbeaten, but Jahandad took four of the first five wickets inside four overs. At 28 for 6, needing 133 more, the leaders had no way back.
Stat Corner
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Performance |
| David Warner | Kathmandu Gurkhas | 66 (50), 9 fours, 1 six, Player of the Match |
| Jahandad Khan | Kathmandu Gurkhas | 4 for 23 (4 overs) |
| Sahan Arachchige | Kathmandu Gurkhas | 34* (15), 3 fours, 1 six, and 1 for 0 (3 balls) |
| Sahil Patel (wk) | Kathmandu Gurkhas | 38 (36), 2 sixes, plus 3 catches |
| Karan KC (c) | Kathmandu Gurkhas | 2 for 24 (4 overs, 1 maiden) |
| Shahab Alam | Kathmandu Gurkhas | 1 for 18 (4 overs) |
| Sundeep Jora | Lumbini Lions | 45 (46), 3 fours |
| Abhishesh Gautam | Lumbini Lions | 2 for 15 (4 overs), and 16 (17) |
| Sher Malla | Lumbini Lions | 2 for 19 (4 overs) |
| Ruben Trumpelmann | Lumbini Lions | 2 for 24 (3 overs) |
* not out
How the Game Turned
| Moment | Score |
| Kathmandu's powerplay | 45 for 0 (6 overs) |
| Warner and Patel stand | 104 off 80 balls for the 1st wicket |
| Seven wickets for 52 runs | 104 for 1 to 156 for 8 |
| Kathmandu total | 160 for 8 (20 overs) |
| Jahandad's first over | Lumbini 11 for 2 |
| Lumbini collapse | 28 for 6 (4.3 overs) |
| Jora and Gautam stand | 47 off 35 balls for the 8th wicket |
| Lumbini all out | 124 (19.3 overs) |
Powerplay Comparison
| Team | First 6 overs |
| Kathmandu Gurkhas | 45 for 0 |
| Lumbini Lions | 34 for 6 |
Playing XIs
| Team | Playing XI |
| Kathmandu Gurkhas | David Warner, Sahil Patel (wk), William Bosisto, Rashid Khan, Bhim Sharki, Sahan Arachchige, Mohammad Aadil Alam, Karan KC (c), Jahandad Khan, Santosh Yadav, Shahab Alam |
| Lumbini Lions | D'Arcy Short, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel (c), Dilip Nath, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Grant Stewart, Sundeep Jora, Sher Malla, Abhishesh Gautam, Ruben Trumpelmann, Tilak Bhandari |
Changes: Kathmandu brought in Mohammad Aadil Alam for Dev Shah. Lumbini brought in Grant Stewart and Abhishesh Gautam for Shamim Hossain and Kishor Mahato.
What's Next
| Match | Date | Fixture | Nepal (NPT) | UTC | IST | PKT | ET |
| 19th Match | Mon, Nov 9 | Pokhara Avengers vs Karnali Yaks | 12:30 PM | 06:45 | 12:15 PM | 11:45 AM | 1:45 AM |
| 20th Match | Mon, Nov 9 | Chitwan Rhinos vs Kathmandu Gurkhas | 5:00 PM | 11:15 | 4:45 PM | 4:15 PM | 6:15 AM |
| 21st Match | Tue, Nov 10 | Sudurpaschim Royals vs Janakpur Bolts | 5:00 PM | 11:15 | 4:45 PM | 4:15 PM | 6:15 AM |
| 23rd Match | Thu, Nov 12 | Karnali Yaks vs Lumbini Lions | 5:00 PM | 11:15 | 4:45 PM | 4:15 PM | 6:15 AM |
All matches at the TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. NPT is Nepal Time (UTC+5:45). ET is US Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Kathmandu Gurkhas vs Lumbini Lions?
- Kathmandu Gurkhas, by 36 runs.
Who was Player of the Match?
- David Warner, for his 66 off 50 balls.
How many wickets did Jahandad Khan take?
- Four, for 23 runs in four overs, including the first two wickets of the chase.
Are Lumbini Lions still top of the table?
- Yes. Despite their first defeat, Lumbini still lead with three wins and a no result from five games.
How many games in a row have Kathmandu won?
- Three: against Karnali Yaks, Biratnagar Kings and now Lumbini Lions.
Related Guides and Series Coverage
📋 Karnali Yaks vs Kathmandu Gurkhas, NPL 2026: Captain Karan KC Leads Kathmandu to Their First Win
📋 Janakpur Bolts vs Lumbini Lions, NPL 2026: Rohit Paudel Leads Lumbini to the Top of the Table
📋 Kathmandu Gurkhas Squad and Schedule for NPL 2026
📋 Nepal Premier League 2026 Schedule: Full NPL Season 3 Fixtures, Teams and Match Times