Last League Game, Playoffs on the Line: Russell and Lamichhane's Kings Meet the League's Best Bowling Side

Going into Thursday's games, Lumbini Lions were third, with seven points from five games (three wins, one defeat and one washout) and the best net run rate in the league, +1.501. Biratnagar Kings were sixth, on four points, with a net run rate of -0.820. Both play on Thursday, Biratnagar against Pokhara and Lumbini against Karnali, so the picture may look different by Saturday. But this is the last league game for both, and only the top four go through. Biratnagar's season has swung from game to game: they lost to Chitwan by eight runs and to Karnali off the second-last ball, then beat Sudurpaschim in a five-over game and Janakpur by two runs, before being bowled out for 83 by Kathmandu. Lumbini bowled Sudurpaschim out for 87, held Pokhara to 97 for 9 and beat Janakpur by 16, but Kathmandu bowled them out for 124 last Saturday.

The 4:15 PM games at Kirtipur have mostly been lower-scoring than the afternoon ones, with totals often between 120 and 160. That suits Lumbini's bowlers. Ruben Trumpelmann took 3 for 16 against Pokhara, and Abhishesh Gautam went for only 15 in four overs against Kathmandu. Biratnagar's hopes rest on Andre Russell, who made 52 not out off 29 and took 4 for 45 against Janakpur, Lokesh Bam at the top, and Sandeep Lamichhane with the ball. Around 150 may be a good score.

A possible Kings XI, based on their last completed game: Shehan Jayasuriya, Lokesh Bam, Imran Sheikh, Basir Ahamad, Angelo Mathews, N Joshi, SS Ranjane, Andre Russell, Rupesh Singh, Sandeep Lamichhane, A Poudel. A possible Lions XI, based on Saturday's side: D'Arcy Short, Aasif Sheikh, Niroshan Dickwella, Rohit Paudel, S Jora, D Nath, G Stewart, Ruben Trumpelmann, Abhishesh Gautam, S Malla, TR Bhandari. Thursday's games may well bring changes to both.