Lumbini Lions vs Chitwan Rhinos Prediction – 7th Match, NPL 2026

The Lumbini Lions vs Chitwan Rhinos prediction for the seventh match of the Nepal Premier League 2026 features two teams that have both started the season with victories. Defending champions Lumbini defeated Sudurpaschim Royals by seven wickets, while Chitwan beat Biratnagar Kings by eight runs. The match is scheduled for Saturday, 31 October, at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

Lumbini made an emphatic start by bowling Sudurpaschim out for 87 and reaching 88/3 in just 9.5 overs. Their bowling attack created the opportunity for a comfortable chase, while the batting unit finished the job quickly. Chitwan’s opening win was more competitive: they posted 157/3 against Biratnagar and then defended the total, winning by eight runs.

Both teams have two points from one match, but Lumbini’s opening victory produced a much stronger net run rate. The winner of this fixture will move to four points and join Karnali Yaks at the top of the early standings. Lumbini have the confidence of defending champions and a dominant first performance; Chitwan have a batting group featuring Dawid Malan, Ravi Bopara and Sikandar Raza, supported by a varied bowling attack.

The key contest will be between Lumbini’s experienced top order and Chitwan’s international bowling options. Rohit Paudel’s side will want to maintain its aggressive start, while Chitwan need to build on their disciplined defence against Biratnagar. With both teams unbeaten, this is an early-season test of their title credentials.

The squads offer several different ways to approach the match. Lumbini have overseas options such as D’Arcy Short, Niroshan Dickwella, Shadley van Schalkwyk and Ruben Trumpelmann alongside Nepal internationals Rohit Paudel and Aasif Sheikh. Chitwan can call on Dawid Malan, Sikandar Raza, Ravi Bopara, Dan Mousley and Kaleem Sana, giving them experience across batting, spin and pace.

Match Details

Lumbini Lions – Recent NPL 2026 Form

Chitwan Rhinos – Recent NPL 2026 Form

Lumbini Lions Preview

Defending champions Lumbini Lions began their 2026 campaign with a convincing seven-wicket win over Sudurpaschim Royals. Their bowlers dismissed the opposition for 87 in 17.2 overs, with Kishore Mahato taking 4/22 and Sher Malla claiming 3/11. The chase was then completed in only 9.5 overs, giving Lumbini a substantial net run-rate boost.

The batting performance showed the value of Lumbini’s overseas experience. D’Arcy Short scored 40 from 18 balls, while Aasif Sheikh contributed 32 from 25. Niroshan Dickwella and Rohit Paudel are further options in the top and middle order, while Sundeep Jora can provide additional batting depth. Short’s aggressive approach gives Lumbini the ability to make a quick start, but the team should avoid assuming every chase will be as straightforward as the opener.

Lumbini’s bowling is a major strength. Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ruben Trumpelmann and Kishore Mahato offer pace options, while Sher Malla and Tilak Bhandari provide additional bowling choices. Rohit Paudel can also contribute with the ball. The opening match demonstrated that Lumbini can apply pressure through both pace and spin, rather than depending on one specialist.

Against Chitwan, Lumbini will need to contain Dawid Malan and Ravi Bopara, who combined to give their side a strong platform in the first match. The Lions should look to attack early with Trumpelmann and van Schalkwyk, then use their spin options to disrupt the middle overs. Their ability to take wickets rather than merely restrict runs could be decisive.

Lumbini have the confidence of champions and the benefit of a dominant opening result. Their main challenge is to maintain the same discipline against a more experienced batting line-up. No confirmed injury or late withdrawal was identified in the published squad information. If Short and Aasif provide another positive start and the bowlers maintain their accuracy, Lumbini have a strong chance of making it two wins from two.

Chitwan Rhinos Preview

Chitwan Rhinos opened their campaign with an eight-run win over Biratnagar Kings. They posted 157/3 in 20 overs, then bowled Biratnagar out for 149 in 19.3 overs. The performance showed that Chitwan have both batting stability and wicket-taking options, although the narrow margin means their bowlers will want to improve their control in the closing overs.

Dawid Malan was the standout batter in the opening match, scoring 70 from 50 balls. Ravi Bopara added 32 not out from 26, while Dan Mousley finished unbeaten on 29 from 22. This combination gives Chitwan a reliable top-order anchor, an experienced middle-order player and an all-rounder capable of accelerating late. Dev Khanal also contributed at the top, although the team will want more runs from its other early-order batters.

Chitwan’s bowling strength was demonstrated by Kamal Singh Airee, who took 4/26 and earned Player of the Match recognition. Rijan Dhakal added two wickets, while the side also has options in Kaleem Sana, Usama Mir, Sikandar Raza, Mousam Dhakal and Tom Taylor. That variety gives captaincy options across pace and spin, depending on the surface and the batting match-ups.

The challenge against Lumbini is likely to be more demanding than the opening game. Short and Aasif attacked quickly against Sudurpaschim, and Lumbini’s overseas seamers can create pressure with the new ball. Chitwan should therefore prioritise early partnerships and avoid losing wickets in clusters. Malan’s ability to bat deep will be important, but Bopara and Mousley must also keep the scoring rate moving.

Chitwan have the resources to challenge the defending champions, especially if Sikandar Raza and the other all-rounders contribute in both disciplines. Their bowling must be particularly disciplined against Short, whose aggressive start can change a T20 match quickly. No confirmed injury or suspension was identified in the published squad information. Chitwan’s best route to victory is to post a competitive total and use their varied bowling attack to prevent Lumbini from completing another quick chase.

Team Squad & Team News

Lumbini Lions Squad

Rohit Paudel, Aasif Sheikh, Dilip Nath, Niroshan Dickwella, Sundeep Jora, Aakash Tripathi, Arniko Yadav, D’Arcy Short, Dinesh Adhikari, Durgesh Gupta, Shamim Hossain, Sher Malla, Abhishesh Gautam, Ajay Chauhan, Kishore Mahato, Ruben Trumpelmann, Shadley van Schalkwyk and Tilak Bhandari.

Chitwan Rhinos Squad

Ravi Bopara, Kushal Malla, Ranjeet Kumar, Deepak Bohara, Dev Khanal, Bipin Rawal, Rijan Dhakal, Arjun Saud, Kamal Singh Airee, Gautam KC, Mousam Dhakal, Bibek Kumar Yadav, Ashok Dhami, Salahuddin Khan, Sikandar Raza, Kaleem Sana, Dawid Malan, Dan Mousley and Tom Taylor.

Probable Playing XI

Probable XIs are subject to official team announcements and the toss.

Dream11 / Fantasy Prediction

Lumbini’s opening match makes D’Arcy Short and Aasif Sheikh attractive fantasy choices, while Sher Malla and Kishore Mahato are worth considering after their wicket-taking performances. For Chitwan, Dawid Malan is the strongest batting option based on the first match, with Ravi Bopara and Dan Mousley offering additional batting value. Kamal Airee is a bowling pick after taking four wickets against Biratnagar.

Captain Options

1. D’Arcy Short – Scored 40 from 18 balls in the opening match and can provide an aggressive start.
2. Dawid Malan – Scored 70 in Chitwan’s first game and is likely to play a key role at the top.

Vice-Captain Options

1. Sikandar Raza – Offers potential points through both batting and bowling.
2. Sher Malla – Took 3/11 in the opening match and could be a valuable wicket-taking option.

Fantasy suggestions are for informational purposes only and are not guaranteed to produce points or returns.

Weather Report – Kirtipur

Forecasts for Saturday, 31 October, indicate a cool day in Kirtipur, with temperatures around 19–21°C near the scheduled match period. Hourly forecasts differ on the likelihood of showers: one indicates a relatively low chance around midday, while other daily forecasts warn of a risk of rain and thunderstorms

The match-time forecast is not uniform across weather providers, so rain remains a genuine uncertainty rather than a confirmed interruption. If showers affect the game, the teams may need to adjust their batting approach and a DLS calculation could become relevant. The forecast wind is light, so it is unlikely to be a major tactical factor.

Broadcast Details

For viewers in India, NPL 2026 is listed for television coverage on Star Sports, with live streaming on FanCode. In Nepal, listings include Star Sports and Himalayan Sports on television, with NETTV streaming. The match is scheduled to begin at 12:15 PM IST on 31 October 2026.

Toss Prediction & Strategy

If Lumbini Lions Win the Toss

Lumbini could consider bowling first, particularly if the surface is damp after overnight or morning rain. Their pace options, including Trumpelmann and van Schalkwyk, can attack early, while Sher Malla and other spin options can control the middle overs. Chasing would also fit the slight historical trend at the venue.

If Chitwan Rhinos Win the Toss

Chitwan should also consider bowling first if there is moisture or cloud cover. Kaleem Sana and Kamal Airee can target the top order, while Sikandar Raza and Kushal Malla provide spin options. If the pitch is dry and looks good for batting, however, Malan and Bopara could be trusted to set a competitive total.

Toss Prediction

Predicted toss winner: Lumbini Lions

This is a speculative call. The tactical preference for either captain is to assess the surface and any rain-related moisture before deciding whether to chase.

Score Prediction

Winning Chances

Key Player Matchups

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