22 matches have been completed in the second season of the Nepal Premier League. Only one team has qualified for the play-offs, and only one side has been eliminated. The remaining six teams are still battling for the three available play-off spots. As of now, no team has confirmed a top-two finish. Here are the qualification scenarios for each team:

Lumbini Lions

Lumbini Lions have gained momentum with a win over Biratnagar Kings. They have won back-to-back matches to sit fourth in the table with six points. Their chances look better than they did five days ago. They will finish with eight points if they beat the Bolts in their next match. However, they will still have to depend on other results if the Pokhara Avengers and Chitwan Rhinos win their upcoming matches.

Biratnagar Kings

The Kings’ campaign has slightly gone off track with two losses in their last three matches, despite starting the tournament with three consecutive wins. They are currently third in the table with eight points from six matches. While they still have a good chance of making the play-offs, they face the best side of the competition, Sudurpaschim Royals, in their final league game. A win would guarantee a play-off spot and could even help them finish in the top two, depending on Kathmandu Gorkhas’ result. If they lose, they will have to rely on other outcomes.

Kathmandu Gorkhas

The Gorkhas sit second in the table with eight points from six games and are on a three-match winning streak. They will confirm their play-off place if they beat the Pokhara Avengers in tomorrow’s match. However, they could still finish in the top two or even get knocked out if they lose. They are in a tricky position.

Pokhara Avengers

The Avengers won their last match against Karnali Yaks (the first team to be knocked out of NPL 2) by 34 runs to keep their play-off hopes alive. With a better net run rate, they have a strong chance of qualifying if they win their next two matches against Kathmandu Gorkhas and Chitwan Rhinos. If they lose their next game against the Gorkhas, they will have to hope for a Lumbini Lions loss against Janakpur Bolts in the following match.

Chitwan Rhinos

Rhinos are currently sixth in the table with four points from five matches. Despite losing their last match, Chitwan’s fate is still in their own hands. They will finish with eight points if they win their next two matches and if Lumbini Lions beat Janakpur Bolts. Qualification will then come down to the net run rate between the Lions and the Rhinos.

Sudurpaschim Royals

Last year’s finalists, the Sudurpaschim Royals, have already qualified for the play-offs and will look to secure a top-two finish by beating Chitwan Rhinos tomorrow. The Royals are the only unbeaten side in the tournament, with five straight wins. One victory in their remaining two matches will secure a place in the first qualifier. Two losses, however, will open the door for the Gorkhas and Kings to challenge for the top two.

Janakpur Bolts

The defending champions are having a tough season in the NPL. After losing four matches in a row, they finally registered a win in their fifth match against Chitwan Rhinos. Their chances are slim with only two points from five matches. They need big wins in their last two games and must rely on other results going their way. They will be hoping for losses for both the Chitwan Rhinos and the Pokhara Avengers. If both teams win tomorrow, the Bolts will be eliminated even before they take on the Lumbini Lions.

Karnali Yaks

The Yaks became the first team to be eliminated from NPL Season 2 after four consecutive losses. They will now be playing for pride in their final league match, as Consultant Coach Raju Basnyat mentioned in the post-match press conference.