NPL 2026 Live – Lumbini Lions vs Janakpur Bolts, Live Streaming Free – Fancode Live Match – JAB vs LUL 14th, Match Live Online

Janakpur Bolts face the unbeaten Lumbini Lions in the 14th match of the Nepal Premier League 2026 on Thursday, 5 November 2026, at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Lumbini arrive with strong bowling momentum, while Janakpur need a response after a narrow two-run defeat.

Official match details

The fixture is the first game of a double-header and is crucial in the race for the playoffs, with two points and net-run-rate implications at stake.

Kirtipur has been a bowler-friendly venue this season. The average first-innings score across the last five matches is around 145, and teams bowling first have won three of those five games.

Expect early movement for seamers, especially with the new ball, while spinners can also find grip as the game progresses. A total in the region of 160–175 should be competitive; anything above 170 would give the batting side a strong chance of defending. The toss-winning captain is likely to bowl first.

Conditions in Kirtipur are expected to be dry but hazy, with a daytime high around 22°C and a low near 9°C. There is no major rain threat indicated, so a full match is likely, although morning smog could ease as the day progresses.

NPL 2026 Live Streaming Info

NetTV is the official worldwide OTT stream for NPL 2026, while Himalaya Sports carries the tournament on television in Nepal. In India, FanCode is the digital streaming platform.

Live Streaming Info:

NPL 2026 will be live: LUL vs JAB

Why this match matters

Lumbini Lions are top of the table with two wins and one abandoned match from three games, giving them five points. Janakpur are fourth with two wins and two losses from four matches, so this is an important opportunity for them to keep pace with the leading sides.

For Janakpur, the defeat to Biratnagar Kings by two runs will hurt because they came extremely close while chasing 174. Another loss would leave them under real pressure in a single round-robin format, where every result carries extra weight.

Current form

Janakpur Bolts

Janakpur began the tournament with a 19-run loss to Karnali Yaks, then responded well with an eight-wicket win over Kathmandu Gorkhas and a nine-run win against Pokhara Avengers. However, they narrowly lost to Biratnagar Kings in their most recent game, falling two runs short of a 175-run target.

Their batting has been inconsistent. Trit Raj Das made a fifty in the win over Pokhara, while Saif Hassan kept Janakpur alive in the chase against Biratnagar, but the top order has not regularly provided fast starts. Moeen Ali and Trit Raj Das have opened, yet their partnerships have crossed 20 only once in four matches.

Lumbini Lions

Lumbini have been outstanding with the ball. They bowled Sudurpaschim Royals out for 87 and won by seven wickets, then restricted Pokhara Avengers to 97 for 9 before chasing the target in just 11.4 overs with eight wickets in hand. Their match against Chitwan was abandoned without a ball bowled.

Rohit Paudel’s side has not been fully tested with the bat because they have chased small targets, but their bowling depth is the biggest reason they sit unbeaten at the top. Ruben Trumpelmann took 3 for 16 in the last match, while Tilak Bhandari and Abhishesh Gautam also bowled economically.

Head-to-head

Janakpur Bolts and Lumbini Lions have met twice in the Nepal Premier League, with one win each.

Their rivalry has been extremely close. Janakpur defended 136 for 9 in the 2024 meeting, winning by just one run, while Lumbini successfully chased 133 in the 2025 encounter, finishing at 136 for 6 in 19.1 overs.

Janakpur Bolts analysis

Janakpur’s main strength is their experienced all-round core. Moeen Ali brings power-hitting and off-spin, James Neesham adds finishing ability and medium-pace, while Iftikhar Ahmed offers middle-order stability and useful spin. Captain Harmeet Singh is also a key left-arm spin option.

Moeen Ali was excellent against Pokhara, taking 3 for 13 in four overs, and he will be central to Janakpur’s plans against Lumbini’s top order. Harmeet Singh had taken three wickets in his first two games before going wicketless in the previous match, so he will want to return to form.

Their weakness is the lack of consistent top-order momentum. Anil Sah, Kusal Perera and Harmeet Singh have not made major contributions in the middle order, and Janakpur cannot afford another slow start against a bowling attack as disciplined as Lumbini’s.

Key players: Moeen Ali, Trit Raj Das, Saif Hassan, Harmeet Singh, James Neesham, Iftikhar Ahmed.

Probable XI: Moeen Ali, Trit Raj Das, Saif Hassan, Anil Sah, Kusal Perera, Iftikhar Ahmed, James Neesham, Harmeet Singh, Lalit Rajbanshi, Bikash Aagri, Amar Singh Routela

Lumbini Lions analysis

Lumbini’s biggest strength is their balanced, aggressive bowling unit. Kishore Mahato, Sher Malla and Ruben Trumpelmann have been their leading wicket-takers, and the addition of Trumpelmann has further strengthened the attack after he took three wickets in the win over Pokhara.

Rohit Paudel has led from the front with the bat, scoring 47 from 32 balls in the previous match. Niroshan Dickwella provides experience in the middle order, while D’Arcy Short can give the innings explosive starts at the top.

The only concern is that their batting has not faced a demanding chase or a big first-innings total yet. If Janakpur post 170-plus, Lumbini’s middle order will face a much tougher examination than in their first two completed games.

Key players: Rohit Paudel, Niroshan Dickwella, D’Arcy Short, Ruben Trumpelmann, Kishore Mahato, Sher Malla, Tilak Bhandari.

Probable XI: D’Arcy Short, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel, Niroshan Dickwella, Sundeep Jora, Shamim Hossain, Sher Malla, Ruben Trumpelmann, Tilak Bhandari, Abhishesh Gautam, Kishore Mahato

Key talking points

• Can Janakpur’s openers finally give the team a fast platform? Their opening partnerships have been a major issue this season.

• Lumbini’s bowlers have dismissed opponents for under 100 while bowling first in both completed matches, making the powerplay battle vital.

• Moeen Ali versus Rohit Paudel and Dickwella could decide the middle overs, especially if Janakpur bowl first.

• The team batting first will want at least 170, given Kirtipur’s low-scoring trend and the advantage enjoyed by sides bowling first.

Match prediction

Lumbini Lions start as slight favourites because of their unbeaten run, superior bowling form and the conditions at Kirtipur. Their attack has been ruthless, and Janakpur’s batting has not shown enough consistency to be fully trusted in a low-scoring contest.

That said, Janakpur have the greater experience in their all-round group, and if Moeen Ali, Neesham or Iftikhar Ahmed fire, they can push Lumbini much harder than their previous opponents. Expect a close, bowler-dominated match, with Lumbini Lions narrowly favoured to win, particularly if they bowl first and keep Janakpur under 165.