Countries | Nepal |
---|---|
Administrator | Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) |
Format | Twenty20 |
First edition | 2024 |
Next edition | 2025 |
Tournament format | Round-robin and playoffs |
Number of teams | 8 |
TV | Nepal Star Sports (TV) [1] Action Sports HD Youtube Channel (Internet) [2] International List of broadcasters |
Website | npl-t20 |
Seasons |
---|
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 CAN (the Cricket Association of Nepal) in 2024, the league features eight provinces/cities-based franchise teams.[5] The inaugural season is set to be held from 15 Mangsir to 6 Poush 2081 BS[6] (30 November to 21 December 2024). The tournament will use a round-robin format, with the top teams advancing to the playoffs.
In 2022, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) organized the Nepal T20 League after signing an NPR 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.[7][8]
In January 2024, the Cricket Association of Nepal announced the creation of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), scheduled for November and December.[9] On 2 August 2024, CAN invited proposals for franchise ownership.[10][11] The official logo of the league was revealed on 19 August 2024.[12][13]
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 Mt. Everest, symbolizing the league's aspiration to reach new heights in the global cricketing arena.[14]
Teams acquire players through an auction.[15] Each team has a squad of 16 players, with the opportunity of signing up to four foreign players: one marquee player from lucky draw,[16][17] 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.[18]
Other notable rules, as of the 2024 season, include:
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 |
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.[21] This marks a significant expansion from previous leagues like Everest Premier League, Pokhara Premier League and Dhangadi Premier League, which included only six teams.[22][23] On 5 September 2024, CAN sold the eight franchise teams for the Nepal Premier League (NPL) through a bidding process at NRS 16,88,93,231.[24] The team representing Pokhara was bought with highest price of NPR 3,57,00,000 by Nepal T-Twenty Cricket Pvt. Ltd., followed by the team representing Kathmandu at NPR 3,33,33,339 by Kantipur Publications, while team representing Karnali was bought at lowest bid of NPR 1,11,70,000 by the Himalayan Builders.[25]
Year | Final | Final venue | Player of the season | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winner | Result | Runner-up | |||
2024 | TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur |
Season (No. of teams) |
2024 (8) |
---|---|
Biratnagar Kings | – |
Chitwan Rhinos | – |
Janakpur Bolts | – |
Kathmandu Gurkhas | – |
Karnali Yaks | – |
Lumbini Lions | – |
Pokhara Avengers | – |
Sudurpaschim Royals | – |
Year | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 |
A summary of the most notable statistical records associated with the tournament is provided below:
Batting Records | ||
---|---|---|
Most runs | ||
Highest score | ||
Highest partnership | ||
Most sixes | ||
Most fours | ||
Most centuries | ||
Most half centuries | ||
Most runs in a season | ||
Bowling Records | ||
Most wickets | ||
Best bowling average | ||
Most hat-tricks | ||
Best bowling figures | ||
Most wickets in a season | ||
Fielding | ||
Most dismissals (wicket-keeper) | ||
Most catches (wicket-keeper) | ||
Most stumpings (wicket-keeper) | ||
Most catches (fielder) | ||
Other records | ||
Most matches | ||
Most matches as captain | ||
Most matches won as captain | ||
Team records | ||
Highest total | ||
Lowest total |
The Nepal Premier League has officially announced its television rights partnership with Star Sports for its inaugural season.[26][27]
Country | Channels | Year |
---|---|---|
Nepal | Star Sports
DishHome Go (Internet) Action Sports HD (Internet) |
2024[1][2] |
India | Star Sports
FanCode (Internet) |
2024[28] |