Lumbini Lions vs Pokhara Avengers Prediction – 13th Match, Nepal Premier League 2026

Lumbini Lions vs Pokhara Avengers prediction for the 13th match of the Nepal Premier League 2026 features two teams looking to improve their position in the league standings. Lumbini have made a positive start, collecting one victory and one no-result from their first two fixtures. Pokhara, meanwhile, have lost both matches and need a response to avoid falling further behind in the early playoff race.

Lumbini began their campaign with a seven-wicket victory over Sudurpaschim Royals on 26 October. They chased 88 in just 9.5 overs after bowling their opponents out for 87. D’Arcy Short led the chase with 40 from 18 balls, while Aasif Sheikh contributed 32 from 25 deliveries. Their next fixture against Chitwan Rhinos on 31 October was abandoned, leaving Lumbini with limited match practice ahead of this contest.

Pokhara have had a more difficult opening. They lost to Sudurpaschim Royals by six wickets after posting 145/7, then went down by nine runs against Janakpur Bolts despite scoring 138/9 in reply to 147/7. There were encouraging individual performances in both games: Arjun Gharti scored 40 against Sudurpaschim, while captain Kushal Bhurtel made 37 against Janakpur. Shakib Al Hasan also took three wickets in the latter match.

The points situation makes this an important fixture for Pokhara. Lumbini have three points from two matches, while Pokhara remain without a point after two defeats. Lumbini’s combination of experienced overseas players and effective bowling gives them an advantage, but Pokhara have several experienced all-rounders capable of changing the contest.

The previous two NPL meetings are level at one win apiece. Lumbini enter with better current results, but Pokhara’s batting and spin-bowling options make this a potentially close contest.

Match Details

Lumbini Lions Last 5 Matches

Pokhara Avengers Last 5 Matches

Lumbini Lions Preview

Lumbini Lions have started the 2026 Nepal Premier League with a convincing win and a washout. Their opening victory against Sudurpaschim Royals was particularly impressive because they dismissed their opponents for 87 before reaching the target in only 9.5 overs. The result demonstrated that Lumbini can make an impact with both the ball and the bat, although the short chase did not provide a full test of their middle-order depth.

D’Arcy Short is an important player at the top of the order. His 40 from 18 balls against Sudurpaschim showed his ability to attack during the powerplay. Aasif Sheikh added 32, giving Lumbini a productive opening partnership. Niroshan Dickwella and captain Rohit Paudel provide further batting experience, while Sundeep Jora can strengthen the middle order.

The overseas signings give Lumbini flexibility in their bowling combination. Ruben Trumpelmann offers left-arm pace and the ability to attack with the new ball. Shadley van Schalkwyk provides another seam option, while Gulbadin Naib can contribute with both bat and ball. The domestic bowling group also has useful options: Kishore Mahato took four wickets in the opening match, and Sher Malla claimed three.

Lumbini’s main strength is their bowling depth. Their ability to dismiss Sudurpaschim for fewer than 90 runs suggests that they can put pressure on a batting lineup that has struggled to finish its innings. Trumpelmann’s left-arm angle and the variations of the domestic bowlers could be useful against Pokhara’s right-handed top order.

There are still questions about Lumbini’s batting against a full-strength spin attack. Pokhara have Shakib Al Hasan and Mahedi Hasan, both capable of controlling the middle overs. Lumbini must avoid losing wickets in clusters when the spinners operate.

The team’s tactical approach should be to use Short aggressively in the powerplay, keep wickets in hand for the middle overs, and allow their bowling attack to dictate the contest.

What Lumbini need to do: maintain their powerplay momentum, protect their middle order against spin, and use Trumpelmann and Mahato to put Pokhara under pressure early.

Pokhara Avengers Preview

Pokhara Avengers have suffered two defeats at the start of the 2026 season, but their performances have not been entirely without positives. They scored 145/7 against Sudurpaschim and 138/9 against Janakpur, showing that the batting lineup can compete. Their difficulty has been controlling the opposition’s scoring and finding enough wickets at important stages.

Captain Kushal Bhurtel is central to Pokhara’s batting plans. He scored 37 from 24 balls against Janakpur, showing that he can accelerate at the top of the order. Arjun Gharti also impressed with 40 from 25 balls against Sudurpaschim, while Mahedi Hasan added 32 from 21 deliveries in the same match. These contributions suggest that Pokhara have more than one player capable of building an innings.

Shakib Al Hasan is arguably their most important all-round option. He took 3/15 against Janakpur, dismissing key batters and keeping the scoring rate under control. Mahedi Hasan and Chamika Karunaratne provide further bowling variety, while Dhananjaya Lakshan can contribute with medium pace and lower-order batting. Mohammad Saifuddin adds another seam-bowling option if selected.

Pokhara’s spin department is a major strength for this particular venue. Shakib and Mahedi can bowl economically through the middle overs, while Sagar Dhakal provides another spin option. Kirtipur’s historical T20 data indicates that spinners take a relatively high share of wickets, which could suit this bowling combination.

The concern is their ability to close out matches. Pokhara lost by six wickets against Sudurpaschim and by nine runs against Janakpur. Against Janakpur, they restricted the opposition to 147 but could not complete the chase despite Bhurtel’s contribution. Their middle order must convert starts into longer partnerships.

What Pokhara need to do: give Bhurtel and Gharti a strong start, use Shakib and Mahedi to control Lumbini’s middle overs, and improve their execution at the death.

Team Squad & Team News

Lumbini Lions – Squad

• Rohit Paudel (Captain)
• Sundeep Jora
• Dinesh Adhikari
• Abhishesh Gautam
• Tilak Bhandari
• Thomas Draca
• Gulbadin Naib
• Sumit Maharjan
• Durgesh Gupta
• Dilip Nath (Wicketkeeper)
• Sher Malla
• Aadil Khan
• Bishal Patel
• D’Arcy Short
• Ruben Trumpelmann
• JJ Smit
• Sameer Ali
• Niroshan Dickwella
• Movin Subasingha

Pokhara Avengers – Squad

• Kushal Bhurtel (Captain)
• Sudip Aryal
• Pratik Pokhrel
• Bibek Magar
• Bipin Acharya
• Arjun Gharti
• Sagar Dhakal
• Arjun Kumal (Wicketkeeper)
• Dinesh Kharel (Wicketkeeper)
• Aakash Chand
• Kiran Thagunna
• Sunny BK
• Mahedi Hasan
• Shakib Al Hasan
• Chamika Karunaratne
• Dhananjaya Lakshan
• Mohammad Saifuddin
• Sadeera Samarawickrama
• Bipin Khatri

Probable Playing XI

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

Dream11 / Fantasy Prediction

Lumbini’s D’Arcy Short and Aasif Sheikh are attractive batting options after their contributions in the opening match. For Pokhara, Kushal Bhurtel and Arjun Gharti have shown the ability to score quickly, while Shakib Al Hasan is a valuable fantasy pick because he contributes in both departments.

Captain Options

1. Shakib Al Hasan – His three-wicket performance against Janakpur makes him a strong all-round fantasy option.
2. D’Arcy Short – His 40 from 18 balls in the opening match demonstrates his powerplay scoring potential.

Vice-Captain Options

1. Kushal Bhurtel – Can provide points through top-order batting and occasional bowling.
2. Gulbadin Naib – Offers potential contributions with both bat and ball if selected.

Players to Avoid

1. Thomas Draca – His selection and role in the playing XI are uncertain from the available recent match information.
2. Sadeera Samarawickrama – His place in Pokhara’s final XI is uncertain, so wait for confirmation before selecting him.

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

Weather Report

The available forecasts for Kirtipur on 3 November suggest mostly clear conditions, with a low probability of rain. The match begins at 5:00 PM local time, close to sunset, so temperatures are expected to fall during the second innings.

The current outlook is favourable for a full match, although brief local showers cannot be completely ruled out. Cooler evening conditions may help seamers with the new ball, while dew could become a factor later in the second innings. The weather does not appear likely to materially change the pre-match prediction.

Broadcast Details

The NPL 2026 match centre lists Himalaya TV as the television broadcaster in Nepal and NetTV as the worldwide streaming platform. For Indian viewers, FanCode lists this specific fixture and provides live streaming access.

Toss Prediction & Strategy

If Lumbini Lions Win the Toss

Lumbini should consider bowling first. Their attack has already shown the ability to dismiss a team for a low total, and chasing would allow Short, Aasif Sheikh and Dickwella to assess the target. Trumpelmann could be particularly useful with the new ball.

If Pokhara Avengers Win the Toss

Pokhara should also lean towards fielding first. Their spin options could be effective during the second innings, and a chase would give Bhurtel and the middle order a clear target. However, if the surface looks dry and likely to slow down, batting first remains a reasonable alternative.

Toss Prediction

Predicted toss winner: Pokhara Avengers

This is a marginal prediction rather than a statistical certainty. The more important decision will be whether the captain chooses to field first, given the historical chasing trend at Kirtipur.

Score Prediction

Winning Chances

Why the Win Percentage?

Main Reasons Behind the Prediction

1. Better start to the season: Lumbini won their opening fixture convincingly, while Pokhara have lost both completed matches.
2. D’Arcy Short’s batting form: His 40 from 18 balls against Sudurpaschim showed that Lumbini have a batter capable of giving them a fast start.
3. Effective bowling: Lumbini dismissed Sudurpaschim for 87, indicating that their attack can apply pressure early.
4. Pokhara’s spin threat: Shakib’s 3/15 against Janakpur and Mahedi’s contribution make Pokhara dangerous in the middle overs.

The 56–44 split gives Lumbini a moderate edge without overlooking Pokhara’s all-round quality and spin-bowling potential.

Key Player Matchups

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