Lumbini Pradesh capped off a dominant tournament run, lifting the Ganeshman Singh Twenty20 national cricket championship trophy in a thrilling finale at Mulpani Cricket Ground. Their disciplined bowling attack proved too much for Karnali Pradesh, which fell short by 31 runs in pursuit of a modest target.

Set 117 runs for victory, Karnali’s batting faltered under pressure. Openers Bipin Shahi (28 runs) and Bipin Rawal (23 runs) offered some resistance, but the rest of the lineup crumbled. Abhishek Gautam ripped through the middle order, his fiery spell of 5/10 in just 3.3 overs proving decisive. Nar Sarki chipped in with two wickets, while Karnali’s chase sputtered to a disappointing end at 85 runs in 15.3 overs.

Earlier, Lumbini opted to bat first after winning the toss. Their innings were with hiccups, as they lost nine wickets throughout. However, Mrinal Gurung’s knock of 27 runs provided a solid foundation, ably supported by Birat Bhandari (26 runs) and Krishna Karki (22 runs). Younis Thakuri spearheaded Karnali’s bowling attack with three wickets, while Dinesh Adhikari and Dipendra Rawat bagged two wickets each.

Lumbini’s triumph marks the culmination of a commanding tournament run. They dominated the league stage, securing the top spot before battling through the playoffs. Karnali, meanwhile, displayed remarkable resilience, clawing their way to the finals after an arduous journey. However, on the night, Lumbini’s bowlers held their nerve to secure a well-deserved championship victory.