In an ongoing second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), 24 matches have been completed so far. The league stage is almost about to end, and three teams, Sudurpaschim Royals, Kathmandu Gorkhas, and Biratnagar Kings have already secured their places in the playoffs. Four other teams remain in contention for the final playoff spot. Player performances have played a crucial role in shaping the standings. While some players have helped their teams advance with strong contributions, others have delivered impressive individual performances even as their teams struggle.
In batting, so far foreign players have dominated the tournament, while in bowling Nepali players hold the upper hand. Among the top five run-scorers, four are foreign players and only one is Nepali, continuing the trend from the previous edition. Pokhara Avengers’ English wicketkeeper-batter Adam Rossington currently leads the chart with 258 runs in six matches, including a century and a half-century, and an average of 51.60. His unbeaten 108 against Karnali Yaks remains one of the standout innings of the tournament.
Scottish batter Mark Watt of Karnali Yaks follows in second place with 242 runs in six matches, including one century and one half-century. His record-breaking century against Lumbini Lions helped his team secure a one-sided victory. In third place is English all-rounder Ravi Bopara of Chitwan Rhinos, who has scored 236 runs in six matches with three half-centuries. Another English player, Ben Charlesworth, is fourth with 197 runs from seven matches.
Sudurpaschim Royals’ Binod Bhandari is the only Nepali batter in the top five, with 186 runs from six matches.
In bowling, Nepali players have shown clear dominance. Four of the top five bowlers are Nepali, and the top four include Sandeep Lamichhane of Biratnagar Kings, Abinash Bohara of Sudurpaschim Royals, and Kathmandu Gorkhas’ Shahab Alam and Karan KC each of whom has 12 wickets. Lamichhane has taken his wickets in six matches with an economy rate of 5.00 and best figures of 4–11. Bohora has matched the tally with an economy of around 7.00 and best figures of 4–30. Alam produced one of the most remarkable performances of the tournament against Pokhara Avengers, taking a hat-trick and six wickets in total, which took his tally to 12 from seven matches. His economy rate stands at 6.33, and his best figures are 6–25. Kathmandu’s captain Karan KC has also taken 12 wickets in seven matches at an economy of 7.28, with best figures of 4–30, while his teammate Milind Kumar has taken 10 wickets in six matches with an economy of 6.13. Other consistent bowlers include Harmeet Singh and Nandan Yadav with nine wickets each, and Ranjit Kumar, Scott Kuggeleijn, and Sohail Tanvir, who have each taken eight wickets.
