Kirtipur is set for a packed Monday of cricket, with two Nepal Premier League (NPL) matches scheduled at the TU Cricket Ground. The first game of the day brings Karnali Yaks and Kathmandu Gorkhas together, starting at 12:30 pm, before Chitwan Rhinos and Sudurpaschim Royals meet in a day-night fixture from 4:30 pm.

The double-header gives spectators in the capital the chance to watch two full matches in a single day, separated by a four-hour break between the afternoon and evening games. It is also a meaningful day for the four franchises involved: Karnali Yaks will be playing their third match of the tournament, Kathmandu Gorkhas their second, while Chitwan Rhinos and Sudurpaschim Royals feature in the late contest.

A Full Day of Cricket at Kirtipur

The TU Cricket Ground, long regarded as the home of Nepali cricket, will be at the centre of Monday's action, hosting both fixtures back to back. The schedule for the day is as follows:

  • First match: Karnali Yaks vs Kathmandu Gorkhas, starting at 12:30 pm
  • Second match: Chitwan Rhinos vs Sudurpaschim Royals, starting at 4:30 pm (day-night game)

The staggered timings mean the ground will see a near-continuous flow of cricket through the day, with the evening fixture following the afternoon game. The gap between the two matches also allows ground staff to reset the venue and prepare for the night session, which will be played under artificial lights.

For fans, the arrangement is straightforward: those who arrive at the ground by early afternoon can watch the Yaks and the Gorkhas in daylight, then stay on as the Rhinos and the Royals take the field as the sun goes down over Kirtipur.

Afternoon Opener: Yaks vs Gorkhas

The day begins at 12:30 pm with Karnali Yaks facing Kathmandu Gorkhas. For Karnali, this will be their third match of the competition, while Kathmandu Gorkhas take the field for only the second time. The difference in matches played underlines the staggered way the fixture list has been arranged, with some sides given more early game time than others.

Day-Night Game: Rhinos vs Royals

Later in the day, at 4:30 pm, Chitwan Rhinos and Sudurpaschim Royals meet in the second match, which will be played as a day-night game. An evening start means the toss and the early overs take place in natural light, with the match moving into night play as it progresses, offering the atmosphere that floodlit cricket is known for.

Karnali Play Their Third Match, Gorkhas Their Second

Monday's opener carries particular significance for Karnali Yaks, as it will be their third outing of the tournament. By the end of the day, Karnali will have spent more time on the field than many of their rivals in the early going of the competition.

For Kathmandu Gorkhas, the match is their second, meaning the Kirtipur crowd will get another look at a side that has played fewer games so far. With the league stage in its early phase, every result matters, as each match contributes to the points table that will shape the course of the tournament.

A third appearance gives Karnali a further chance to add to their early tally, while for Kathmandu a second match is another step in settling into the competition. Both franchises, named after their home regions of Karnali and Kathmandu, will be keen to make the most of the daylight conditions on offer in the afternoon slot.

Evening Cricket Under the Kirtipur Lights

The second match of the day, between Chitwan Rhinos and Sudurpaschim Royals, begins at 4:30 pm and will be played as a day-night fixture. Evening starts have become a popular feature of franchise cricket, allowing fans to attend after work or school and giving broadcasters a primetime window.

Day-night games also present players with shifting conditions, as light, temperature and surface behaviour can change noticeably between the first innings and the second under lights. For the Rhinos, named after the wildlife-rich Chitwan region, and the Royals, representing Sudurpaschim Province in the far west, the fixture is another opportunity to bank points as the tournament moves forward.

What Monday Means for the NPL

By the close of play, four franchises will have featured at the TU Cricket Ground on the same day, a reminder of how central the Kirtipur venue is to the Nepal Premier League. Monday's slate combines the familiar rhythm of an afternoon game with the spectacle of a night fixture, giving fans two distinct cricketing experiences in one visit.

For Karnali Yaks, it is match number three. For Kathmandu Gorkhas, it is match number two. And for Chitwan Rhinos and Sudurpaschim Royals, the day-night game offers the chance to feature under the lights in one of the tournament's showcase evening slots. With the first ball due at 12:30 pm and the second match starting at 4:30 pm, Monday shapes up as a full day of NPL cricket in Kirtipur.