Second on 8 points — and the final is in sight
The Royals’ season has been a climb. They lost the opener to Lumbini Lions by seven wickets, then lost a rain-shortened five-over match to Biratnagar Kings by 35 runs. Since then they have won three in a row — Chitwan Rhinos by five wickets, Karnali Yaks by 39 runs and Janakpur Bolts by 27 — and the latest win, in Match 21 on Tuesday 10 November, put them level on points with Kathmandu at the top.
Dipendra Singh Airee captains the side, and former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq is head coach. Seven players were retained from the side that reached last season’s final — Dipendra, Binod Bhandari, Aarif Sheikh, Ishan Pandey, Abinash Bohara, Hemant Dhami and Hikmat Mahara — and the settled core is why the Royals keep winning tight matches: three of their four wins this season have come by 27 runs or fewer, or by five wickets.
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Two finals, two defeats — and the best record in the league
No team has been as consistent as the Royals, and no team has been as unlucky. They reached the final in both seasons played so far — beaten by Janakpur Bolts in the Season 1 final in 2024 and by Lumbini Lions in the Season 2 final in 2025 — and their 14 wins from 18 matches across those two seasons are the best record of any team in the league.
Season 3 is a third attempt at the same prize. Four more wins have taken the tally to 18 wins from 24 matches, and the confirmed overseas signings this season are Saif Ali Zaib, Scott Kuggeleijn and Brandon McMullen. The Royals are based in Dhangadhi, in Sudurpaschim Province, and play their home matches at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, like every other team in the league.
Sudurpaschim Royals squad
Head coach: Misbah-ul-Haq. Captain: Dipendra Singh Airee. Fourteen players are verified for Season 3 in the NPL data file, plus the head coach. Saif Ali Zaib is the overseas name in the verified list; Scott Kuggeleijn and Brandon McMullen are confirmed overseas signings on the NPL team page but do not appear in the verified squad file, so they are not listed in the table below.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Aarif Sheikh | Batter |
| Abinash Bohara | Bowler |
| Anil Kharel | Bowler |
| Ayub Chand | — |
| Binod Bhandari | Wicketkeeper |
| Dipak Bohara | Wicketkeeper |
| Dipendra Singh Airee (Captain) | All-rounder |
| Hemant Dhami | Bowler |
| Hikmat Mahara | — |
| Ishan Pandey | Batter |
| Milan Bohara | All-rounder |
| Sachin Bhatta | Bowler |
| Saif Ali Zaib | All-rounder |
| Tek Rawat | Wicketkeeper |
The list shows the players verified for Season 3 in the NPL data file (checked 21 October 2026). A small number of players are still unverified for Season 3 and are not listed here.
Results so far — three wins in a row
Newest first. The Match 21 win showed what this side does best: defend a modest total.
| Match | Date | Fixture & scores | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Tue 10 Nov | Sudurpaschim Royals 120/9 (20 ov) vs Janakpur Bolts 93 (19.5 ov) | Sudurpaschim Royals won by 27 runs |
| 16 | Fri 6 Nov | Sudurpaschim Royals 176/6 (20 ov) vs Karnali Yaks 137/7 (20 ov) | Sudurpaschim Royals won by 39 runs |
| 11 | Mon 2 Nov | Sudurpaschim Royals 131/5 (16.4 ov) vs Chitwan Rhinos 129/6 (20 ov) | Sudurpaschim Royals won by 5 wickets |
| 8 | Sat 31 Oct | Sudurpaschim Royals 70/3 (5 ov) vs Biratnagar Kings 105/2 (5 ov) | Biratnagar Kings won by 35 runs |
| 4 | Wed 28 Oct | Pokhara Avengers 145/7 (20 ov) vs Sudurpaschim Royals 148/4 (16.5 ov) | Sudurpaschim Royals won by 6 wickets |
| 1 | Mon 26 Oct | Lumbini Lions 88/3 (9.5 ov) vs Sudurpaschim Royals 87 (17.2 ov) | Lumbini Lions won by 7 wickets |
Brandon McMullen top-scored with 33 off 23 in Match 21, and Scott Kuggeleijn took 3 for 13 and was named Player of the Match as Janakpur were bowled out for 93; Harmeet Singh took 4 for 17 in the same match. The 39-run win over Karnali in Match 16 was the most comfortable — 176 for 6, the Royals’ highest total of the season so far, with Saif Zaib making 35 and Binod Bhandari 27. The defeat that still stings is the five-over match against Biratnagar, lost by 35 runs after rain cut the game to five overs a side.
Scores verified against the NPL results file (updated 9 November 2026, source: ESPN / verified scorecards); Match 21 score from the CricTracker live scorecard (verified 10 November 2026).
Where the Royals stand — second, and already through
| # | Team | P | W | L | Pts | NRR | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Sudurpaschim Royals | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 | +0.069 | W L W W W |
The Royals cannot miss the playoffs either. Only three teams can still pass 8 points — Lumbini Lions (11 maximum), Kathmandu Gorkhas (10) and Chitwan Rhinos (9) — so even a defeat in their last match leaves them no lower than fourth. The fight is for the top two, which go straight to Qualifier 1 on 17 November; third and fourth go to the Eliminator on 18 November.
Only one league match remains: Kathmandu Gorkhas on Friday 13 November. Win it and the Royals reach 10 points — only Lumbini could still pass them — and a first-place finish, and a Qualifier 1 spot, would be in their hands. SialTV will update this page after every match day, through the final.
Next match — Kathmandu Gorkhas vs Sudurpaschim Royals
Match 24, Friday 13 November 2026, 12:30 PM NST (11:45 AM PKT, 6:45 AM UTC), TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. First against second, both on 8 points, and the winner reaches 10 and takes the lead at the top. It is the first meeting of the two sides this season.
Kathmandu Gorkhas arrive without David Warner, who has returned home — but the Gorkhas have won four in a row, and their bowling has shared the wickets around. The Royals’ own form is three straight wins, and a win here puts them top of the table.
Frequently asked questions
Who captains Sudurpaschim Royals?
Dipendra Singh Airee. The all-rounder leads the side in Season 3, with former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq as head coach. Dipendra has 90 runs in six matches and 5 wickets, and the Royals have won four of their six matches under him.
Have Sudurpaschim Royals ever won the NPL?
No. The Royals have reached the final in both seasons played so far and lost both — to Janakpur Bolts in 2024 and to Lumbini Lions in 2025. They hold the league’s best win record, with 14 wins from 18 matches across the first two seasons, and are chasing a first title in Season 3.
Where do Sudurpaschim Royals stand in the NPL points table?
Second, with 8 points from six matches (four wins, two losses) and a net run rate of +0.069. They are level on points with leaders Kathmandu Gorkhas and behind on net run rate. They are already certain of a playoff place.
When is Sudurpaschim Royals’ next match?
Match 24 against Kathmandu Gorkhas, on Friday 13 November 2026 at 12:30 PM NST (11:45 AM PKT, 6:45 AM UTC), at the TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. It is their last league match; a win takes them to 10 points and the top of the table.