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Nepal Premier League

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Nepal Premier League
  • Festival of Himalayas
Countries   Nepal
AdministratorCricket Association of Nepal (CAN)
FormatTwenty20
First edition2024
Next edition2025
Tournament formatRound-robin and playoffs
Number of teams8
TVStar Sports
Websitenpl-t20.com

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.[1][2] Founded by the CAN (the Cricket Association of Nepal) in 2024, 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.

History

Foundation

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]

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]

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.[13] This marks a significant expansion from previous leagues like Everest Premier League, Pokhara Premier League and Dhangadi Premier League, which included only six teams.[14][15] 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.[16] 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.[17]

Nepal Premier League is located in Nepal
Janakpur Bolts
Janakpur Bolts
Karnali Yaks
Karnali Yaks
Lumbini Lions
Lumbini Lions
Sudurpaschim Royals
Sudurpaschim Royals
All 8 NPL teams in the provinces/cities they are based in
Team Province/City Debut Captain Head coach Owners Auction Bid Proposed Home Ground
Biratnagar Kings Biratnagar 2024 Sandeep Lamichhane Ireland Kevin O'Brien MAD Dream Sports रू1.51 crore (US$110,000) Girija Prasad Koirala Cricket Stadium
Chitwan Rhinos Chitwan 2024 India Umesh Patwal Chitwan Medical College रू1.76 crore (US$130,000) Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium
Janakpur Bolts Janakpur 2024 Sri Lanka Pubudu Dassanayake Dream Sports रू2.05 crore (US$150,000) Shree Ram Janaki International Cricket Stadium
Karnali Yaks Karnali 2024 Nepal Gyanendra Malla Himalayan Builders रू1.11 crore (US$83,000) Kalinchowk Cricket Ground
Kathmandu Gurkhas Kathmandu 2024 Nepal Basanta Shahi Kathmandu Sports Development Venture रू3.33 crore (US$250,000) Mulpani Cricket Stadium
Lumbini Lions Lumbini 2024 India Nandan Phadnis Fortuna Health Care रू1.86 crore (US$140,000) Extra Tech Oval Cricket Stadium
Pokhara Avengers Pokhara 2024 India Rajiv Kumar Nepal T20 Pvt Ltd रू3.57 crore (US$270,000) Pokhara Cricket Ground
Sudurpaschim Royals Sudurpashchim 2024 Nepal Jagat Tamata Empire Sports रू1.68 crore (US$130,000) Fapla Cricket Ground

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.[18][19]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Siddhartha Bank title-sponsored Nepal Premier League live on Star Sports". GorakhaPatra. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Siddhartha Bank named title sponsor of Nepal Premier League". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Eight teams announced for Nepal Premier League". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  4. ^ "CAN unveils annual sports calendar for 2024". MyRepublica. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Nepal T20 League: CIB says 3 Nepali, 4 foreign players involved in spot-fixing". Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Nepal T20 League: ICC team inspects spot-fixing allegations and returns". Onlinekhabar. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  7. ^ "CAN to organize Nepal Premier League in November and December". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  8. ^ "CAN issues RFP for Nepal Premier League franchise ownership". Cricnepal. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Request for Proposal (RFP) for Franchise Ownership". Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  10. ^ "CAN unveils new Nepal Premier League logo and schedule". Cricnepal. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  11. ^ Mitra, Adreej Kumar (20 August 2024). "Cricket Association of Nepal reveals NPL logo during 'Celebration of Nepal Cricket' program". CricTracker. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Official NPL Logo and Symbolism". Official NPL Twitter. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  13. ^ "Nepal Premier League to feature eight teams". Cricnepal. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  14. ^ "CAN announces eight franchises for Nepal Premier League". Khabarhub. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  15. ^ "CAN reveals eight team names for Nepal Premier League". Cricnepal. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  16. ^ "Franchise auction confirms owners for all eight teams in Nepal Premier League". Cricnepal. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  17. ^ "NPL Franchise Teams Sold, Pokhara Fetches Highest Price". Neplays. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  18. ^ "CAN grants Star Sports the right to broadcast Nepal Premier League". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  19. ^ Staff, cricnepal (15 November 2024). "Star Sports confirmed as official broadcaster for Nepal Premier League". cricnepal.com. Retrieved 15 November 2024.