Who Makes the Playing XI in Kathmandu Gorkhas vs Lumbini Lions NPL 2026 Match 18?

Match 18 | Nepal Premier League 2026 | Kirtipur, TU International Cricket Ground | 7 November 2026

Neither side has named its XI for Match 18, yet the probable lists already tell most of the story. Kathmandu Gorkhas look set to open with David Warner and Smit Patel, with Rashid Khan providing bowling muscle, while Lumbini Lions lean on D’Arcy Short, Niroshan Dickwella and captain Rohit Paudel. Both teams won on 5 November, and the first ball arrives at 5:00 PM local time on Saturday at TU International Cricket Ground. Final confirmation is still pending, so treat each name with caution.

Past Meetings Lean One Way

The Gorkhas lead the head-to-head 2-1, and both of their wins were comfortable. They beat the Lions by 18 runs on 11 December 2024 and by 22 runs on 26 November 2025. Both victories came by runs, so the Gorkhas set targets and defended them. The record is short but consistent.

The Lions hold the freshest memory. They won the Eliminator on 10 December 2025 by four wickets, chasing successfully, which is their only win in three meetings. A victory on Saturday would level the head-to-head at 2-2. Both teams know each other’s patterns well, which narrows the room for surprises.

Kathmandu Gorkhas vs Lumbini Lions NPL 2026 Probable Lineups

The Gorkhas have not announced their XI, but the probable group is clear. Warner and Smit Patel head the batting, Bosisto and Sarki sit alongside them, and Rashid Khan, Karan KC and Jahandad supply the all-round bowling. Arachchige, Yadav, Alam and D Shah complete the list. None of those names are officially confirmed yet.

Captain Paudel is expected to lead an XI built around Short and Dickwella at the top, with Hossain in the middle order and Trumpelmann as the left-arm pace option. Sheikh, Jora, Nath, Malla, Mahato and Bhandari fill the remaining places. Their XI is just as unconfirmed.

Current Form Before the Meeting

The Gorkhas arrive with momentum after a shaky start. They lost to Janakpur by eight wickets on 29 October, then recovered with a four-wicket win over Karnali on 2 November. Their best result came on 5 November, when they beat Biratnagar by nine wickets. Two wins in a row point to a side that is settling.

The Lions are unbeaten in their four matches so far. They beat Sudurpaschim by seven wickets on 26 October, saw their 31 October match with Chitwan end without a result, then beat Pokhara by eight wickets on 3 November. A 16-run win over Janakpur on 5 November showed they can defend a total as well as chase one.

Overseas Players and Squad Questions

Fans searching for David Miller can stop looking, because he plays for Karnali Yaks. Miller, Farhan, Talat and Watt all belong to that team, so none of them is available to the Gorkhas. Warner and Rashid Khan did feature for the Gorkhas on 2 November, though confirmation for Match 18 is still missing.

Lumbini Lions captain Rohit Paudel leads a side with five overseas options. D’Arcy Short and Niroshan Dickwella bring top-order experience, Shamim Hossain adds middle-order depth, and Shadley van Schalkwyk and Ruben Trumpelmann strengthen the bowling. That mix gives the Lions clear options in every department, while the Gorkhas have shown only Warner and Rashid Khan in recent games.

Batting First at TU Ground

TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur has produced a first-innings average of 153 over the last three years. Typical scores run from 145 to 170, so a total near 160 would look competitive. No second-innings average is available, so chasing teams lack a clear benchmark.

Saturday’s game begins at 5:00 PM Nepal time, which is 4:45 PM in India. Expect Warner, Short and Dickwella to shape the first six overs. Whoever tracks Kathmandu Gorkhas vs Lumbini Lions NPL 2026 should treat the announced XIs as the final word, because every probable list above can still change at the toss.

Do Warner and Short win this contest at the top, or will the Lions bowlers decide it? Tell us in the comments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is in the probable playing XI for Kathmandu Gorkhas?

The Gorkhas have not announced an XI, but Smit Patel, Warner and Rashid Khan are expected. Karan KC, Jahandad, Sarki and Bosisto also appear in the probable group.

Who are the probable players for Lumbini Lions?

Short, Dickwella, Paudel and Hossain are the expected core of the side. Trumpelmann, Jora, Nath, Malla, Mahato, Bhandari and Sheikh complete a probable XI that has not been confirmed.

Is David Miller playing for Kathmandu Gorkhas?

No, David Miller does not play for the Gorkhas. He is part of the Karnali Yaks, along with Farhan, Talat and Watt, so he is unavailable for Match 18.

Who won the last meeting between Kathmandu Gorkhas and Lumbini Lions?

Lumbini Lions won by four wickets in the 10 December 2025 Eliminator. Before that, the Gorkhas had won on 26 November 2025 by 22 runs.

Where is Match 18 being played, and when does it start?

Match 18 is at TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on 7 November. The start is 5:00 PM Nepal time, which is 4:45 PM in India.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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