# Nepal Premier League

The Nepal Premier League (NPL) (Nepali: नेपाल प्रिमियर लिग), also known as Siddhartha Bank NPL for sponsorship reasons, is a men's Twenty20 cricket league held annually in Nepal. Founded by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) in 2024, the league features eight provinces/cities-based franchise teams. The inaugural season was held during 2024 season. The tournament used a round-robin format, with the top teams advancing to the playoffs.

## 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.
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. 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. The Central investigation Bureau also form specialized teams to look into the incidents. 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. This leads to shut down of the league.

### 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. On 2 August 2024, CAN invited proposals for franchise ownership. 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. This marks a significant expansion from previous leagues like Everest Premier League and Nepal T20 League, which included only six teams.
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. 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.

### Logo

The official logo of the league was revealed on 19 August 2024. 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.

## Organization
### Player Acquisition, Squad Composition, and Salaries

Teams acquire players through an auction. Each team has a squad of 16 players, with the opportunity of signing up to four foreign players: one marquee player from lucky draw, 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.
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)
** Grade A player base price: रू10 lakh (US$7,200), up to रू15 lakh (US$11,000)
** Grade B player base price: रू5 lakh (US$3,600), up to रू10 lakh (US$7,200)
** Grade C player base price: रू2 lakh (US$1,400), up to रू5 lakh (US$3,600)
* 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$64,000) each.
Highest Paid Players in NPL 2024 Auction by The Kathmandu Post :
| 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 | Total | Rs 180 lakhs |
| Average salary | Average salary | Rs 15 lakhs |

### Prize money

The inuagral 2024 season of the NPL offered total prize money of रू2.01 crore (US$140,000). The prize money is split as follows:
* रू1.1 crore (US$79,000) – To the Champion
* रू51 lakh (US$36,000) – To the Runner up
* रू25 lakh (US$18,000) – To the 3rd place team
* रू15 lakh (US$11,000) – To the 4th place team

## Teams

As of the 2024 season, the league has eight teams based in provinces/cities across Nepal.
| Team | Province/City | Debut | Captain | Head coach | Owner(s) | Auction Bid | Home Ground |
| Biratnagar Kings | Biratnagar, Koshi Province | 2024 | Sandeep Lamichhane | Kevin O'Brien | M.A.D. Dream Sports | रू1.51 crore (US$110,000) | Girija Prasad Koirala Cricket Stadium |
| Chitwan Rhinos | Chitwan, Bagmati Province | 2024 | Kushal Malla | Umesh Patwal | Chitwan Medical College | रू1.76 crore (US$130,000) | Gautam Buddha Int'l Cricket Stadium |
| Janakpur Bolts | Janakpur, Madhesh Province | 2024 | Anil Sah | Pubudu Dassanayake | Dream Sports | रू2.05 crore (US$150,000) | Shree Ram Janaki Int'l Cricket Stadium |
| Karnali Yaks | Surkhet, Karnali Province | 2024 | Sompal Kami | Gyanendra Malla | Himalayan Builders | रू1.11 crore (US$79,000) | Kalinchowk Cricket Ground |
| Kathmandu Gurkhas | Kathmandu, Bagmati Province | 2024 | Karan KC | Basanta Shahi | Kathmandu Sports Development Venture | रू3.33 crore (US$240,000) | Mulpani Cricket Stadium |
| Lumbini Lions | Rupandehi, Lumbini Province | 2024 | Rohit Paudel | Nandan Phadnis | Fortuna Health Care | रू1.86 crore (US$130,000) | Extra Tech Oval |
| Pokhara Avengers | Pokhara, Gandaki Province | 2024 | Kushal Bhurtel | Rajiv Kumar | Nepal T20 Cricket Pvt. Ltd. | रू3.57 crore (US$260,000) | Pokhara Cricket Ground |
| Sudurpaschim Royals | Kailali, Sudurpashchim Province | 2024 | Dipendra Singh Airee | Jagat Tamata | Empire Sports | रू1.68 crore (US$120,000) | Fapla Cricket Ground |

## Tournament seasons and results

| Year | Final | Final | Final | Final venue | Player of the season |
| Year | Winner | Result | Runner-up | Final venue | Player of the season |
| 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 | RU |
* Teams have been listed alphabetically.
* C: Champions
* RU: Runner-up
* PO: Team qualified for the 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 (RU) | JB (C) | CR | KY | KG | BK | PA | LL |
* (C) = Eventual champion; (R) = Runner-up.

### All time standings

| Teams | Appearances | Appearances | Appearances | Best result | Statistics | Statistics | Statistics | Statistics | Statistics |
| Teams | Total | First | Latest | Best result | Played | Won | Lost | NR | Win% |
| Janakpur Bolts | 1 | 2024 | 2024 | Champions (2024) | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 70.00 |
| Sudurpaschim Royals | 1 | 2024 | 2024 | Runners-up (2024) | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 77.78 |
| Karnali Yaks | 1 | 2024 | 2024 | Qualifier 2 (2024) | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 55.56 |
| Chitwan Rhinos | 1 | 2024 | 2024 | Eliminator (2024) | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Biratnagar Kings | 1 | 2024 | 2024 | Group Stage (2024) | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 28.57 |
| Kathmandu Gurkhas | 1 | 2024 | 2024 | Group Stage (2024) | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 57.14 |
| Lumbini Lions | 1 | 2024 | 2024 | Group Stage (2024) | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 14.28 |
| Pokhara Avengers | 1 | 2024 | 2024 | Group Stage (2024) | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 28.57 |

## Records and statistics

The first season goes very well. 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 not out vs Lumbini Lions (6 December 2024) |
| Highest partnership | Dinesh Kharel & Andries Gous (PA) | 176 vs Lumbini Lions (6 December 2024) |
| Most centuries | Andries Gous (PA) | 1 |
| Most runs in a season | Lahiru Milantha (JB) | 293 |
| Bowling records |||
| Most wickets | Scott Kuggeleijn (SR) & Lalit Rajbanshi (JB) | 17 |
| 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 records |||
| 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 |
| 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

## 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.

### List of Broadcasters

| Country | Channels | Year |
| Nepal | Star Sports DishHome Go (OTT) Action Sports HD (Internet) | 2024 |
| Bangladesh | Star Sports | 2024 |
| Bhutan | Star Sports | 2024 |
| India | Star Sports | 2024 |
| Maldives | Star Sports | 2024 |
| Sri Lanka | Star Sports | 2024 |