Kathmandu: Lumbini Lions became the fourth and final team to secure a playoff berth in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) T20 after edging defending champions Janakpur Bolts by four wickets, wrapping up their league campaign on Friday.

Opting to bat first, the Bolts were restricted to a modest 132-6 at the TU Cricket Stadium. In reply, the Lions completed the chase in 19.1 overs, reaching 136-6.

The victory—Lumbini’s fourth in seven matches—confirmed their fourth-place finish with eight points under national captain Rohit Paudel. The Bolts, meanwhile, had a disappointing campaign remaining at the bottom of the table with just two points. They have managed only one win in six outings and yet to play one game.

League leaders Sudurpaschim Royals have already secured the top spot and a place in Qualifier 1 after winning all six of their matches so far. Kathmandu Gorkhas and Biratnagar Kings are the other teams to make the playoffs. All three teams—except leaders Royals, last year’s runners-up—will be making their maiden playoff appearances.

The Bolts’ defeat also confirmed the eliminations of Pokhara Avengers and Chitwan Rhinos from the playoff race.

Batting first, the Bolts struggled as wickets fell at regular intervals. Middle-order batter Sangeeth Cooray anchored the innings with an unbeaten 45 off 38, hitting two fours and a six.

Mayan Yadav contributed a steady 27 not out off 23, including a boundary and a six. Aasif Sheikh (20), Sanjay Krishnamurthi (14) and Subha Kansakar (11) were the only other batters to reach double figures.

For the Lions, Sher Malla and captain Rohit Paudel took two wickets each. Malla returned figures of 2-20 from four overs, while Paudel gave away just 15 runs in his two-over spell.

In pursuit of 133, opener D’Arcy Short and Paudel built a crucial 60-run stand for the second wicket. Short scored 30 off 24 balls with a four and two sixes before being trapped lbw by Cooray. Paudel top-scored with 34 off 32, hitting two boundaries and a six, before falling lbw to Yadav.

Jonathan Smith chipped in with a valuable 21 off 19. He got dismissed when Cooray had him caught by Anil Sah. Niroshan Dickwella added 17 off 20 before Dilip Nath sealed the win with an unbeaten 15 off 13, finishing the chase with a six.

Cooray was the standout bowler for the Bolts, taking 3-25 in his four overs, while Yadav picked up two wickets in a single over.