The Nepal Premier League’s second season commenced on November 17 at the renovated Tribhuvan University cricket ground under the newly installed floodlights—the very first of their kind in Nepal’s cricketing history. Renovated at a cost of above Rs 800 million, this revamped stadium now accommodates a seating capacity of about 10,000 fans. Gone are the days when fans had to sit on the grassy floor to watch their teams playing. What is heartening to note is that the inflow of hordes of international cricketing stalwarts like Faf du Plessis, Martin Guptill, Imran Tahir, Jimmy Neesham, Sohail Tanvir, Jason Roy and several others further heightened the standard of the league. Without doubt, the NPL, with its second consecutive tournament in two years, has brought Nepal and its cricket global recognition. Eight franchise teams—including Biratnagar Kings, Janakpur Bolts, Chitwan Rhinos, Kathmandu Gorkhas, Pokhara Avengers, Lumbini Lions, Karnali Yaks, and Sudurpaschim Royals—have made considerable investments to make their teams competitive in the tournament, which has lifted the standard of the tournament.
Nepali cricket at the crossroads of new era
Meanwhile, participation of foreign coaching personnel has given Nepali cricket fans a reason to cheer about and also an experience of world-class tactics that will aid the Nepali cricket players’ sharpness. Coaches that include Shivnarine Chanderpaul (Janakpur Bolts), Jagat Tamatta (Sudurpaschim Royals), Kalam Ali (Chitwan Rhinos), Gyanendra Malla (Karnali Yaks), Monty Desai (Kathmandu Gorkhas), Pubudu Dassanayake (Biratnagar Kings), Nandan Phadnis (Lumbini Lions), and Rajiv Kumar (Pokhara Avengers) are the key to watch during the league for their tactics and coaching style. It would be worth remembering that the NPL is a professional league that offers handsome cash prizes. The marquee players take home fees of Rs 2 million, while the others take home fees of Rs 1.5 million and Rs 1 million. The team that emerges the champion will receive Rs 11.1 million, and the team finishing as runner-up will take home Rs 5.1 million. The third-placed team will receive Rs 2.5 million; the team finishing fourth will pocket Rs 1.5 million. Extra incentive awards include financial awards and motorcycles for the players with excellent performance. Fans have always remained the backbone of the Nepali cricket. Their passion and dedication are unmatched and acknowledged throughout the cricket world.
Now that there are day/night matches with the newly erected floodlights, the fans can experience an electrifying, international-level competitive cricketing environment. The renovated infrastructure has proved that Nepal wanted the TU cricket stadium to be fit enough to accommodate big events. This league has offered more than just an opportunity to spotlight the cricketing prowess of the participants because it has served as an opportunity for young cricketing hopefuls to grow and sustain their cricketing careers on an international platform. By offering competitive action, financial rewards, and the expertise of seasoned cricketing professionals, NPL promotes cricketing talents and their supremacy at an international setting during major events like the T20 World Cup that will take place in India and Sri Lanka in 2026. This second edition of the NPL has marked the beginning of a new dawn of Nepali cricket, telling everyone that Nepali cricket has now been shining on the world stage. Finally, the second edition of the NPL has proved a dream come true, and as we move to another chapter of our cricketing journey, it has raised a new prospect of our cricketing journey to a newer height.
