The Nepal Premier League (NPL) (Nepali: नेपाल प्रिमियर लिग), also known as Siddhartha Bank NPL for sponsorship reasons, is a men's Twenty20 (T20) cricket league held annually in Nepal.[3][4] Founded by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) in 2024, the league features eight provinces/cities-based franchise teams.[5][6] The inaugural season was held from 30 November 2024 (15 Mangsir to 6 Poush 2081 BS).[7] The tournament used a round-robin format, with the top teams advancing to the playoffs.
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| Countries |  Nepal |
|---|---|
| Administrator | Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) |
| Format | Twenty20 |
| First edition | 2024 |
| Tournament format | Round-robin and playoffs |
| Number of teams | 8 |
| Current champion | Janakpur Bolts (1st title) |
| Most successful | Janakpur Bolts (1 title) |
| Most runs | Lahiru Milantha (293 runs) |
| Most wickets | Scott Kuggeleijn (17) Lalit Rajbanshi (17) |
| TV | Nepal Star Sports (TV) [1] DishHome Go (OTT) Action Sports HD (Internet) [2] International List of broadcasters |
| Website | nplt20.com |
History
Failure of Nepal T20 League
In 2022, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) organized the Nepal T20 League after signing an रु. 330 million agreement with Indian sports management company Seven3Sports for a year to hold a franchise Twenty20 league tournament in Nepal. However, the league was surrounded by many conflicts and allegations such as match-fixing and corruption.[8][9]
The match between Kathmandu Knights and Biratnagar Super Kings on 3 January 2023 was delayed by two hours after players refused to take the field after failing to get their payments. The players were contracted to get 40% of their payments before the start of the tournament and the remaining 60% during the tournament. Only players from Pokhara Avengers and Lumbini All Stars had been paid 50% of their contracted amount while the rest of the players had not been paid yet. The game resumed after Cricket Association Nepal officials assured the players of their payments.[10] After that Kathmandu Knights captain Gyanendra Malla revealed on 4 January 2023 that one of his teammates had been approached for match-fixing. The incident was reported to ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit following which a team was sent to Nepal to investigate the claims.[11] The Central investigation Bureau also form specialized teams to look into the incidents.[12][13] The Bureau in its preliminary investigation revealed that it was keeping close watch on three Nepali players and four foreign players on accusations of spot-fixing. The investigation also found evidence that Seven3Sports, the sports management company organizing the event, were involved in the incidents.[14] This leads to shut down of the league. [15]
Foundation
After the shut down of Nepal T20 League and the qualifiation of Nepal national cricket team for 2024 Men's T20 World Cup, On January 2024, the Cricket Association of Nepal announced the creation of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), scheduled for November and December.[16] On 2 August 2024, CAN invited proposals for franchise ownership.[17][18] The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced that the 2024 Nepal Premier League (NPL) will feature eight teams, each representing major cities across Nepal.[19] This marks a significant expansion from previous leagues like Everest Premier League and Nepal T20 League, which included only six teams.[20][21]
To determine team ownership, an auction for the franchises was held on 5 September 2024. CAN sold the eight franchise teams for the Nepal Premier League (NPL) through a bidding process at रु. 16,88,93,231.[22] The team representing Pokhara was bought with highest price of रु. 3,57,00,000 by Nepal T-Twenty Cricket Pvt. Ltd., followed by the team representing Kathmandu at रु. 3,33,33,339 by Kantipur Publications, while team representing Karnali was bought at lowest bid of रु. 1,11,70,000 by the Himalayan Builders.[23]
Logo
The official logo of the league was revealed on 19 August 2024.[24][25] The Nepal Premier League's (NPL) logo reflects Nepal's spirit and heritage. The logo combines the iconic khukuri with a cricket bat, symbolizing the valor of the Gorkhas and the essence of Nepalese cricket. It also features elements inspired by Nepal’s national symbols: the sun and moon from the flag, representing the ambition to elevate Nepal cricket globally, and the flowing rivers which echo cricket brings to the nation. The design is inspired by Mount Everest, symbolizing the league's aspiration to reach new heights in the global cricketing arena.[26]
Organization
Player Acquisition, Squad Composition, and Salaries
Teams acquire players through an auction.[27] Each team has a squad of 16 players, with the opportunity of signing up to four foreign players: one marquee player from lucky draw,[28][29] three grade A players, four grade B players, three grade C players and one player from talent hunt. Unsold players at the auction can become replacement signings.[30]
Other notable rules, as of the 2024 season, include:
- Team can buy up to 10 players from auction round (3 grade A, 4 grade B, and 3 grade C)
- The highest-bidding franchise buys players; if two or more bid the maximum amount, the lottery will decide which team the player will go to.
- The salary cap of the auctioned players has been allotted a purse of रू90 lakh (US$67,000) each.[31]
| Player | Team | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Aarif Sheikh | Sudurpaschim Royals (SR) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Anil Sah | Janakpur Bolts (JB) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Bhim Sharki | Kathmandu Gurkhas (KG) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Bibek Yadav | Lumbini Lions (LL) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Gulsan Jha | Karnali Yaks (KY) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Lalit Rajbanshi | Janakpur Bolts (JB) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Lokesh Bam | Biratnagar Kings (BK) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Pratis GC | Biratnagar Kings (BK) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Sagar Dhakal | Pokhara Avengers (PA) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Shahab Alam | Kathmandu Gurkhas (KG) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Surya Tamang | Lumbini Lions (LL) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Total | Rs 180 lakhs | |
| Average salary | Rs 15 lakhs | |
Prize money
The inuagral 2024 season of the NPL offered total prize money of रू2.01 crore (US$150,000). The prize money is split as follows:[32]
Teams
As of the 2024 season, the league has eight teams based in provinces/cities across Nepal.
Tournament seasons and results
Final
| Year | Final | Final venue | Player of the season | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Result | Runner-up | |||
| 2024 | Janakpur Bolts
185/5 (19.2 overs) |
JB won by 5 wickets (Scorecard) |
Sudurpaschim Royals
184/9 (20 overs) |
TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur | Saif Zaib (Sudurpaschim Royals) |
Teams' performances
Seasons
| Season (No. of teams) |
2024 (8) |
|---|---|
| Biratnagar Kings | 6th |
| Chitwan Rhinos | PO |
| Janakpur Bolts | C |
| Kathmandu Gurkhas | 5th |
| Karnali Yaks | PO |
| Lumbini Lions | 8th |
| Pokhara Avengers | 7th |
| Sudurpaschim Royals | R |
- All the NPL teams have been listed alphabetically.
- C: Champions
- R: Runner-up
- SF or PO: Team qualified for the semi-final or playoff stage of the competition
Position of teams in NPL
After the league stage, the position of the franchise:
| Year | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | SR (R) | JB (C) | CR | KY | KG | BK | PA | LL |
- Indicates qualified for playoffs
- (C) = Eventual champion; (R) = Runner-up.
Records and Statistics
A summary of the most notable statistical records associated with the tournament is provided below:
- As of 21 December 2024
| Batting Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Most runs | Lahiru Milantha (JB) | 293 |
| Highest score | Andries Gous (PA) | 104* vs Lumbini Lions (6 December 2024) |
| Highest partnership | Dinesh Kharel & Andries Gous (PA) | 176 vs Lumbini Lions (6 December 2024) |
| Most sixes | James Neesham (JB) | 23 |
| Most fours | Lahiru Milantha (JB) | 35 |
| Most centuries | Andries Gous (PA) | 1 |
| Most half centuries | Ravi Bopara (CR) | 3 |
| Most runs in a season | Lahiru Milantha (JB) | 293 |
| Bowling Records | ||
| Most wickets | Scott Kuggeleijn (SR) & Lalit Rajbanshi (JB) |
17 |
| Best bowling average | Bikash Aagri (LL) | 4.66 |
| Most hat-tricks | ||
| Best bowling figures | Will Bosisto (KY) | 6/28 vs Pokhara Avengers (10 December 2024) |
| Most wickets in a season | Scott Kuggeleijn (SR) Lalit Rajbanshi (JB) |
17 |
| Fielding | ||
| Most dismissals (wicket-keeper) | Lahiru Milantha (JB), Bipin Rawal (CR) |
5 |
| Most catches (wicket-keeper) | Bipin Rawal (CR) | 5 |
| Most stumpings (wicket-keeper) | Lahiru Milantha (JB) | 4 |
| Most catches (fielder) | Anil Sah (JB) | 12 |
| Other records | ||
| Most matches | many player | 10 |
| Most matches as captain | Dipendra Singh Airee (SR), Sompal Kami (KY) |
9 |
| Most matches won as captain | Dipendra Singh Airee (SR) | 7 |
| Team records | ||
| Highest total | Biratnagar Kings | 193/8 vs Lumbini Lions (4 December 2024) |
| Lowest total | Janakpur Bolts | 51/10 vs Sudurpaschim Royals (11 December 2024) |
- Source: Records extracted from ESPNcricinfo[33]
Broadcasting
The Nepal Premier League has officially announced its television rights partnership with Star Sports and digital rights partnership with DishHome for its inaugural season.[34]
List of Broadcasters
| Country | Channels | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal |
Star Sports |
2024[1][2] |
 India |
Star Sports | 2024[35] |
 Bangladesh |
2024 | |
 Bhutan |
2024 | |
 Maldives |
2024 | |
 Sri Lanka |
2024 |
See also
- Cricket in Nepal
- List of cricket league in Nepal.
- Sports in Nepal – An overview of sports culture in Nepal
- List of professional sports leagues in Nepal
References
- ^ a b "CAN grants Star Sports the right to broadcast Nepal Premier League". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Action Sports To Broadcast NPL on YouTube". thesportsy.com.
- ^ "Siddhartha Bank title-sponsored Nepal Premier League live on Star Sports". GorakhaPatra. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Siddhartha Bank named title sponsor of Nepal Premier League". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Eight teams announced for Nepal Premier League". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "NPL poised to herald a new era in Nepali cricket". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ "CAN unveils annual sports calendar for 2024". MyRepublica. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Nepal T20 League: CIB says 3 Nepali, 4 foreign players involved in spot-fixing". 8 January 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "Nepal T20 League: ICC team inspects spot-fixing allegations and returns". Onlinekhabar. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "Match-fixing, pay issues rock Nepal T20 League". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ "Nepal T20 League: ICC team inspects spot-fixing allegations and returns". 6 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ a b "12 players sold at highest price at Nepal Premier League auction". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
- ^ "CAN comes up with contradictory statement on fixing". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ "Nepal T20 League: CIB says 3 Nepali, 4 foreign players involved in spot-fixing". 8 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ "Police investigation reveals 10 people were involved in spot-fixing in Nepal T-20 League". 8 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ "CAN to organize Nepal Premier League in November and December". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "CAN issues RFP for Nepal Premier League franchise ownership". Cricnepal. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Request for Proposal (RFP) for Franchise Ownership". Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Nepal Premier League to feature eight teams". Cricnepal. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ "CAN announces eight franchises for Nepal Premier League". Khabarhub. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "CAN reveals eight team names for Nepal Premier League". Cricnepal. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "Franchise auction confirms owners for all eight teams in Nepal Premier League". Cricnepal. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ "NPL Franchise Teams Sold, Pokhara Fetches Highest Price". Neplays. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ "CAN unveils new Nepal Premier League logo and schedule". Cricnepal. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ Mitra, Adreej Kumar (20 August 2024). "Cricket Association of Nepal reveals NPL logo during 'Celebration of Nepal Cricket' program". CricTracker. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ "Official NPL Logo and Symbolism". Official NPL Twitter. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Nepal Premier League auction to feature 142 players". Cricnepal. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "8 Marquee Players in Nepal Premier League to Earn NPR 2 Million: Find Out Which Player Represents Which Team". Wicket Nepal. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "Why the Lucky Draw System in the Nepal Premier League Misses the Mark". Cricnepal. 15 September 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "Nepal Premier League auction: Everything you need to know". Cricnepal. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ "एनपीएलको अक्सनमा बढीमा ९० लाख खर्च गर्न पाउने" [A maximum of 9 million can be spent on NPL auction]. Onlinekhabr (in Nepali). Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ Online, T. H. T. (17 December 2024). "CAN announces prize money for NPL as playoffs begins tomorrow". The Himalayan Times. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Nepal Premier League Records". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "CAN grants Star Sports the right to broadcast Nepal Premier League". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ "Where to watch Nepal Premier League in India". SportsAdda. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
