Lumbini Lions

Lumbini Lions

लुम्बिनी लायन्स
Nickname(s)	LL
League	Nepal Premier League
Personnel
Captain	Rohit Paudel
Coach	Nandan Phadnis
Owner	Fortuna Health Care
Team information
City	Siddharthanagar,Lumbini Province
Colors
Founded	5 September 2024;11 months ago (5 September 2024)
Home ground	Extra Tech Oval Cricket Stadium
Capacity	25,000
History
Nepal Premier League  wins	0
Official website	lumbinilions.com

Lumbini Lions is a Nepalese professional cricket franchise based in Lumbini Province. The team competes in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) and was one of the eight franchises incorporated in 2024. ^[1] Their home ground is the Extra Tech Oval and is owned by Fortuna Health Care.

Rohit Paudel was the only domestic standout players of this team. ^[2] Canadian cricketer Saad Bin Zafar and British cricketer Tom Moores were also the attraction for Lumbini Lions in the first season of NPL.

History

In January 2024, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced that the inaugural season of the Nepal Premier League would take place in November and December 2024. ^{[3] [4] [5]} On 2 August 2024, CAN issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for franchise ownership. The Lumbini based franchise was sold to Fortuna Health Care for NPR 1.86 crore (US$140,000). ^{[6] [7]}

2024 season

The Lions made their debut in the 2024 Nepal Premier League. They had a very bad debut season, finishing last in the league stage with only one win from seven matches.

On 4 December 2024, they played their first ever match in NPL history against Biratnagar Kings but lost by 2 wickets at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. ^[8] Two days later, they were again defeated heavily to Pokhara Avengers by 10 wickets. ^[9] After that, they once again lost back to back matches against Sudurpaschim Royals and nail-biting low-scoring thriller against Janakpur Bolts by 45 runs and 1 run respectively. ^{[10] [11]}

The team recorded their first major win on 10 December 2024, against Chitwan Rhinos ^[12] But unable to carry forward the winning streak and summed up their campaign in lossing note as they once gain lost back to back matches against Kathmandu Gurkhas and Karnali Yaks by 18 runs and 5 runs respectively. ^{[13] [14] [15]}

In this season, Rohit Paudel became the leading run scorer of the franchise’s, and overall third leading run scorer of the season. ^[16] Saad Bin Zafar became franchise leading wicket taker. ^[17]

Crest and colours

The logo features a stylized golden lion, reflecting the pride of Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and incorporates elements that symbolize Nepal's rich heritage, such as subtle references to the Maya Devi Temple, Ashoka Pillar, and Nepali flag symbols in its overall design and inspiration, tied together with golden lettering representing the eternal peace flame and the team name rendered below in white. The team's primary colour is red and gold. The team unveiled a new logo ahead of the 2025 season, emphasizing a modern and aggressive look that aligns with the team’s identity. ^{[18] [19]}

Brand

The Lions has consistently been named amongst the most valuable sporting franchises in Nepal.

Sponsorship

Year	Kit manufacturer	Shirt sponsor (front)	Shirt sponsor (back)	Chest branding	Sleeve branding
2024	Diamond City Wear	Ncell	Babu88	Yeti Carpet	Nepal DP Limited, Folliderm, Reliance Finance Ltd

Mobile service provider, Ncell became the first shirt sponsor for the team in NPL 2024. ^{[20] [21]}

Ownership

When the NPL was launched in 2024, the Lumbini franchise was sold to the Fortuna Health Care for रू 1.86 crore (US$140,000), making it the fourth expensive team in the league. ^{[22] [23]}

Players

Current squad

• Players with international caps as of start of 2025 NPL are listed in bold.

Lumbini Lions squad for the 2025 Nepal Premier League ^{[24] [25]}

No.	Name	Nationality	Birth date	Batting style	Bowling style	Year signed	Salary	Notes
1	Aadil Khan	Nepal	—	—	—	2025	रू 2 lakh (US$1,500)
2	Abhishesh Gautam	Nepal	—	—	—	2024	रू 2 lakh (US$1,500)
3	Bibek Yadav	Nepal	(2003-10-07)7 October 2003 (aged 21)	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	2024	रू 15 lakh (US$11,000)
4	Bishal Patel	Nepal	(2003-10-30)30 October 2003 (aged 21)	Left-handed	Left-arm medium	2025	रू 5 lakh (US$3,700)
5	Dilip Nath	Nepal	(1997-12-19)19 December 1997 (aged 27)	Left-handed	—	2025	रू 10 lakh (US$7,400)
6	Dinesh Adhikari	Nepal	(2004-10-16)16 October 2004 (aged 20)	Right-handed	Right-arm [[Fast bowling|medium]	2024	रू 2.75 lakh (US$2,000)
7	Durgesh Gupta	Nepal	(2004-12-25)25 December 2004 (aged 20)	Right-handed	Left-arm medium	2024	रू 5 lakh (US$3,700)
8	Rohit Paudel	Nepal	(2002-09-02)2 September 2002 (aged 22)	Right-handed	Right-arm off break	2024	रू 20 lakh (US$15,000)	Captain
9	Sher Malla	Nepal	(2002-12-01)1 December 2002 (aged 22)	Left-handed	Right-arm off break	2025	रू 10 lakh (US$7,400)
10	Sundeep Jora	Nepal	(2001-10-20)20 October 2001 (aged 23)	Right-handed	—	2024	रू 15 lakh (US$11,000)
11	Tilak Raj Bhandari	Nepal	(2004-10-28)28 October 2004 (aged 20)	Right-handed	Right-arm Leg break	2024	रू 10 lakh (US$7,400)

Administrative and support staff

Position	Name	Ref
Head coach	Nandan Phadnis	[26]
Consultant Coach	Shakti Gauchan	[27]

Statistics

By season

Year	Mat	Won	Lost	NR	Win%	Group Stage	Final Result	Most Runs	Most Wickets
2024	7	1	6	0	14.28	8/8	League Stage	Rohit Paudel (279)	Saad Bin Zafar (9)
Total	7	1	6	0	14.28

Source: ESPNcricinfo ^[28]

By opposition

Opposition	Span	M	W	L	NR	Win (%)
Biratnagar Kings	2024	1	0	1	0	0
Chitwan Rhinos	2024	1	1	0	0	100
Janakpur Bolts	2024	1	0	1	0	0
Karnali Yaks	2024	1	0	1	0	0
Kathmandu Gurkhas	2024	1	0	1	0	0
Pokhara Avengers	2024	1	0	1	0	0
Sudurpaschim Royals	2024	1	0	1	0	0
Total	2024	7	1	6	0	14.28%

Last updated: 21 December 2024

References

1. "CAN announces eight franchises for Nepal Premier League". Khabarhub. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
2. "Rohit Paudel's All-Round Performance Secures Lumbini Lions' First Win in Nepal Premier League (NPL)". WicketNepal. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
3. "CAN to organise Nepal Premier League in November and December". The Kathmandu Post . Retrieved 2024-11-08.
4. "CAN planning to develop NPL into a global premier event". The Kathmandu Post . Retrieved 2024-11-08.
5. "Nepal Premier League 2024 start date announced". SportsAdda. 2024-09-06. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
6. Staff, cricnepal (2024-09-05). "Franchise auction confirms owners for all eight teams in Nepal Premier League". cricnepal.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
7. "CAN planning to develop NPL into a global premier event". The Kathmandu Post . Retrieved 2024-12-03.
8. "Biratnagar defeats Lumbini by two wickets in NPL". The Rising Nepal . 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
9. "Pokhara Avengers claim record 10-wicket win against Lumbini Lions". The Kathmandu Post . 2024-12-06. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
10. "Sudurpaschim Royals win by 45 runs, Lumbini Lions suffer third defeat". Republica. 2024-12-07. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
11. "Janakpur Bolts edge Lumbini Lions by 1 run in a thrilling encounter in NPL". The Kathmandu Post . 2024-12-08. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
12. "Lumbini Lions defeats Chitwan Rhinos". The Himalayan Times . 2024-12-10. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
13. "Lumbini Lions fall to Kathmandu Gurkhas by 18 runs in a low-scoring thriller, ending their NPL campaign". The Himalayan Times . 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
14. "Karnali Yaks beats Lumbini Lions". The Himalayan Times . 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
15. "Karnali Yaks register 5 run win over Lumbini Lions". The Kathmandu Post . 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
16. "Most runs in Nepal Premier League, 2024". ESPNcricinfo . 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
17. "Most wickets For Nepal Premier League, 2024". ESPNcricinfo . 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
18. "Lumbini Lions reveal new logo reflecting heritage, identity". Business360. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
19. "Lumbini Lions Roar with New Logo Honoring Buddha's Legacy and Nepal's Pride". ShareSansar. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
20. "Ncell announced as title sponsor for Lumbini Lions in Nepal Premier League". Business360. 2024-12-01. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
21. "Lumbini Lions Welcomes Ncell as Main Sponsor for Nepal Premier League". ShareSansar. 2024-12-02. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
22. "NPL Franchise Teams Sold, Pokhara Fetches Highest Price". Neplays. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
23. "CAN secures whopping funds from NPL franchise ownership auction". Cricnepal. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
24. "Karnali Yaks retain seven players ahead of NPL 2025 mini auction". Cricnepal. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
25. "NPL completes player auction for second edition with 37 signings". online khabar. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
26. "Lumbini Lions appoint Nandan Phadnis as Head Coach". Business360. 2024-10-25. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
27. "Lumbini Lions club appoints Shakti Gauchan as consultant coach". Business360. 2024-10-07. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
28. "Results of Nepal Premier League". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 December 2024.

External links

• Lumbini Lions Profile at ESPNcricinfo