Kathmandu, October 26
The third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) begins today at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, with eight teams competing for the title and a record prize purse.
Lumbini Lions, Sudurpaschim Royals, Janakpur Bolts, Kathmandu Gorkhas, Chitwan Rhinos, Biratnagar Kings, Pokhara Avengers and Karnali Yaks will compete in the tournament.
Himalaya Sports will broadcast all matches live.
The opening match will feature defending champions Lumbini Lions against last season’s runners-up Sudurpaschim Royals. The match is scheduled to begin at 4:30 pm.
The tournament will follow a single round-robin format before the eliminator and qualifier matches, with the final scheduled for November 21.
Winners to receive Rs 15 million
According to Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) treasurer Padam Bahadur Khadka, the winners will receive Rs 15 million in prize money. The runners-up will get Rs 8 million, while the third- and fourth-placed teams will receive Rs 4 million and Rs 3 million, respectively.
The prize money has increased from the previous edition, when Lumbini Lions received Rs 11 million after defeating Sudurpaschim Royals by six wickets in the final.
International stars set to feature
The third edition has received recognition from the International Cricket Council (ICC), with several prominent overseas players joining the participating teams.
Former Australia captain David Warner will represent Kathmandu Gorkhas.
West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell and Sri Lankan players Angelo Mathews and Charith Asalanka have joined Biratnagar Kings. Sherfane Rutherford and Fabian Allen will play for Sudurpaschim Royals.
Pokhara Avengers have signed Bangladesh all-rounders Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin and Mehidy Hasan.
Karnali Yaks have recruited South African finisher David Miller, Pakistan’s Hussain Talat and Shahzad Parhan, and Bangladesh players Ariful Islam and Akbar Ali.
Bangladesh all-rounder Sami Hossain will represent Lumbini Lions.
Other notable overseas players expected to feature include Pakistan all-rounders Mohammad Nawaz, Haider Ali, Usman Mir, Hasan Ali and Iftikhar Ahmed, England’s Moeen Ali, New Zealand’s Jimmy Neesham and Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza.
DRS to be used for the first time in Nepal
The tournament will also introduce the Decision Review System (DRS) for the first time in Nepal.
The technology will allow third umpires to review on-field decisions in situations where the on-field officials face difficulty making a call.
DRS will be available for decisions involving leg-before-wicket (LBW), run-outs, stumpings, front-foot no-balls and wides. Technology will also be used to measure the distance and height of sixes.
Each team will be allowed two reviews at a time, according to the tournament rules.
With increased prize money, a line-up of international players and the introduction of DRS, the third edition is set to bring several new features to Nepal’s premier domestic cricket competition.
