The Nepal Premier League (NPL) (Nepali: नेपाल प्रिमियर लिग), also known as Siddhartha Bank NPL,[1][2] is a men's professional T20 cricket league in Nepal. NPL is one of the major sports league in Nepal. Founded by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the league features eight provinces/cities-based franchise teams.[3] The inaugural season is set to be held from 15 Mangsir to 6 Poush 2081 BS[4] (30 November to 21 December 2024). The tournament will use 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 |
| Next edition | 2025 |
| Tournament format | Round-robin and playoffs |
| Number of teams | 8 |
| TV | Star Sports |
| Website | npl-t20 |
History
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.[5][6]
In January 2024, the Cricket Association of Nepal announced the creation of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), scheduled for November and December.[7] On 2 August 2024, CAN invited proposals for franchise ownership.[8][9] The official logo of the league was revealed on 19 August 2024.[10][11]
Logo
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.[12]
Player acquisition, squad composition, and salaries
Teams acquire players through an auction.[13] Each team has a squad of 16 players, with the opportunity of signing up to four foreign players: one marquee player from lucky draw,[14][15] 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.[16]
Other notable rules 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 रु. 90 lakhs each.[17]
| 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 | |
Teams
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, Pokhara Premier League and Dhangadi Premier League, which included only six teams.[20][21] 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.[22] 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.[23]
Tournament seasons and results
Final
| Year | Final | Final venue | Player of the season | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Result | Runner-up | |||
| 2024 | |||||
Teams' performances
Seasons
| Season (No. of teams) |
2024 (8) |
|---|---|
| Biratnagar Kings | – |
| Chitwan Rhinos | – |
| Janakpur Bolts | – |
| Kathmandu Gurkhas | – |
| Karnali Yaks | – |
| Lumbini Lions | – |
| Pokhara Avengers | – |
| Sudurpaschim Royals | – |
- 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
| Year | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
- 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:
| 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 | ||
Broadcasting
The Nepal Premier League has officially announced its television rights partnership with Star Sports for its inaugural season.[24][25]
See also
References
- ^ "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.
- ^ "CAN unveils annual sports calendar for 2024". MyRepublica. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Nepal T20 League: CIB says 3 Nepali, 4 foreign players involved in spot-fixing". Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "Nepal T20 League: ICC team inspects spot-fixing allegations and returns". Onlinekhabar. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "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. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Request for Proposal (RFP) for Franchise Ownership". Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "CAN unveils new Nepal Premier League logo and schedule". Cricnepal. 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. 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. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "Nepal Premier League auction: Everything you need to know". Cricnepal. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ "एनपीएलको अक्सनमा बढीमा ९ लाख खर्च गर्न पाउने" [A maximum of 9 million can be spent on NPL auction]. Onlinekhabr (in Nepali). Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "12 players sold at highest price at Nepal Premier League auction". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 7 October 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 grants Star Sports the right to broadcast Nepal Premier League". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ Staff, cricnepal (15 November 2024). "Star Sports confirmed as official broadcaster for Nepal Premier League". cricnepal.com. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
