Big Weekend Ahead – NPL Returns + Australia Look to Seal Series

Kathmandu, Nepal — After a brief Friday pause in domestic action, the international and local cricket calendar is set to deliver an explosive weekend of sport on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1, 2026. From a capacity weekend crowd returning to Kirtipur for the Siddhartha Bank Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 3 to a series climax in Cape Town and white-ball finals in Lahore, here is your essential guide to this weekend’s cricket action.

Professional cricket provides intense multi-format excitement governed by the International Cricket Council and domestic boards like Cricket Nepal. Below are the key narratives, kickoff timings in Nepal Time, and matchups to watch over the coming 48 hours.

1. NPL Season 3 Resumes Tomorrow with a Kirtipur Weekend Double-Header

Following Friday’s rest day, the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur hosts three pivotal matches across Saturday and Sunday that will reshape the playoff qualification table:

• Saturday, 31 Oct (Tomorrow · 12:30 PM NPT) — Lumbini Lions vs Chitwan Rhinos: Both sides arrive undefeated with two points. Defending champion Lumbini Lions (boasting the tournament’s highest Net Run Rate) take on Kushal Malla and Sikandar Raza’s Chitwan Rhinos, with the winner joining Karnali Yaks at 4 points atop the table.
• Saturday, 31 Oct (Tomorrow · 5:00 PM NPT) — Sudurpaschim Royals vs Biratnagar Kings: Under the Saturday floodlights, Dipendra Singh Airee’s Royals look to build momentum after beating Pokhara, while Sandeep Lamichhane and Andre Russell’s Biratnagar Kings hunt their maiden win.
• Sunday, 1 Nov (Sunday · 5:00 PM NPT) — Janakpur Bolts vs Pokhara Avengers: Fresh from an eight-wicket win over Kathmandu, Janakpur face Kushal Bhurtel and Shakib Al Hasan’s Pokhara Avengers.

2. Day 4 in Cape Town: Australia Push for 2–1 Test Series Victory

In red-ball cricket, all attention centers on Newlands as Australia aim to bowl out South Africa on Day 4 of the deciding third Test. With the series locked at 1–1 and the Proteas teetering at 140/4 in their second innings—leading by just 40 runs—Pat Cummins’ side need six wickets before embarking on a fourth-innings chase to clinch the series trophy.

3. White-Ball Fireworks: Lahore Tri-Series Final & IND vs NZ Tour Climax

White-ball action across the subcontinent and Australasia offers two major attractions:

• ODI Tri-Series Final (Saturday, 31 Oct): Hosts Pakistan battle Sri Lanka in the tournament final at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore after England concluded their tour with a 55-run win on Thursday.
• India vs New Zealand Tour Series Finale (Sunday, 1 Nov): Having already clinched the T20I series 3–0 behind World No. 1 batter Abhishek Sharma’s 38-ball 113, Team India complete their T20I leg before preparing for the upcoming five-match ODI series.

Weekend Cricket Watch Schedule (31 October – 1 November 2026)

Keep track of every major kickoff in Nepal Time (NPT):

• Sat, 31 Oct — 12:30 PM NPT: NPL Match 7 — Lumbini Lions vs Chitwan Rhinos (TU Ground, Kirtipur)
• Sat, 31 Oct — 1:45 PM NPT: South Africa vs Australia (Day 4, Cape Town Test)
• Sat, 31 Oct — 5:00 PM NPT: NPL Match 8 — Sudurpaschim Royals vs Biratnagar Kings (TU Ground, Kirtipur)
• Sat, 31 Oct — Evening: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (ODI Tri-Series Final, Lahore)
• Sun, 1 Nov — 12:45 PM NPT: New Zealand vs India (5th T20I, Auckland)
• Sun, 1 Nov — 5:00 PM NPT: NPL Match 9 — Janakpur Bolts vs Pokhara Avengers (TU Ground, Kirtipur)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What time does the Lumbini Lions vs Chitwan Rhinos match begin?

The match begins Tomorrow · 12:30 PM NPT at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

How many wickets does Australia need to bowl South Africa out in Cape Town?

Australia need six wickets to bowl out South Africa in their second innings on Day 4.

Who plays in the Lahore ODI Tri-Series Final on Saturday?

Pakistan and Sri Lanka will contest the final at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

When does NPL Match 8 between Sudurpaschim and Biratnagar start?

Match 8 kicks off Tomorrow · 5:00 PM NPT under the floodlights at Kirtipur.